narwhal

noun

nar·​whal ˈnär-ˌ(h)wäl 

-wəl

variants or less commonly narwhale

ˈnär-ˌwāl 

-ˌ(h)wāl

: an arctic cetacean (Monodon monoceros) that reaches a length of about 16 feet (5 meters) and possesses in the male one or rarely two long, spirally twisted, pointed tusks

Note: Although the narwhal is classified as a toothed whale (suborder Odontoceti), it does not possess any teeth in its mouth.

Illustration of narwhal

Did you know?

The narwhal is a toothed whale found throughout arctic waters. Its Latin binomial, Monodon monoceros, is derived from the Greek words for "single-toothed" and "single-horned." Its English name (also sometimes spelled narwhale) comes from the Norwegian and Danish narvhal and the Swedish narval, words which are probably a modification of the Icelandic nárhvalur, which comes from the Old Norse nāhvalr. In Old Norse hvalr means "whale" and is akin to the Old English hwæl, the ancestor of the Modern English whale. The first element of nāhvalr is believed to be nār, the Old Norse word for "corpse," from the resemblance of the animal's color to that of a human corpse.

Examples of narwhal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There's a plan afoot for another new hotel that will look out over waters full of the seal, whale and narwhal that congregate around Qeqertarsuaq, or Disko Island, the world's largest island's largest island. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 June 2025

Rarer sightings include orca, narwhal, sperm, beluga and blue whales. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025

In total, the researchers newly identified and described 17 distinct behaviors of narwhals involving prey. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025

Humans have long been fascinated with narwhal tusks. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian & Danish narhval & Swedish narval, probably modification of Icelandic nárhvalur, from Old Norse nāhvalr, from nār corpse + hvalr whale; from its color

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for narwhal

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

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Kids Definition

narwhal

noun

nar·​whal ˈnär-ˌwäl 

-ˌhwäl,

-wəl

: an arctic sea mammal that is about 20 feet (six meters) long, is related to the dolphins and whales and in the male has a long twisted ivory tusk