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
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Off the island of Dominica, guests swam within 20 feet of giant sperm whales. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026 On such group is Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), which is using AI to listen to and decipher meaning encoded in the vocalizations of sperm whales. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2026 During the survey over the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the researchers spotted more than 300 animals, including three endangered fin whales, three endangered sperm whales, 50 pilot whales and hundreds of dolphins. Neal Riley, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 More folk are looking for escapes that take them to the most remote corners of earth—many of which these larger animals like humpback whales, sperm whales, and giant manta rays call home. Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026 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 31 Mar. 2026.

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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