sperm whale

noun

: a very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus synonym P. catodon) that has large conical teeth in the lower jaw, a single blowhole, and a massive squarish head with a closed cavity containing a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil, and that may reach a length in the male of nearly 60 feet (18.3 meters)

Illustration of sperm whale

Illustration of sperm whale

Examples of sperm whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Two sperm whales hanging out in Southern California in recent weeks and days has whale enthusiasts excited about the deep-water dwellers’ visit off local waters. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025 Dolphins in turn are a type of toothed whale, a group that includes porpoises, beaked whales and sperm whales. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 The two sperm whales, one named Kiwi and one named Guava, have been seen together at least four times since 2023 in other locations, the company said. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025 According to the wildlife charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, orcas, Australian humpback dolphins and sperm whales have all been observed carrying dead calves. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sperm whale

Word History

Etymology

short for spermaceti whale

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sperm whale was circa 1700

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Cite this Entry

“Sperm whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sperm%20whale. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

sperm whale

noun
: a large toothed whale with a large chamber in the skull that contains a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil

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