oceanic whitetip shark
noun
variants
or oceanic whitetip
or less commonly oceanic white-tipped shark
plural oceanic whitetip sharks or oceanic whitetips also oceanic white-tipped sharks
: a large, relatively slow-moving requiem shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) that has fins tipped with white, is found chiefly in tropical and subtropical open ocean, and is usually under 10 feet (3.1 meters) in length but may reach a length of 13 feet (4 meters)
Note: The oceanic whitetip shark has long paddle-like pectoral fins and a large, rounded first dorsal fin.
called also whitetip shark
compare whitetip reef sharkExamples of oceanic whitetip shark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Through the Parrot Cay Marine Conservation Trust, Butler is able to study local oceanic whitetip shark populations.
—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oceanic whitetip shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oceanic%20whitetip%20shark. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
