: any of a suborder (Odontoceti) of cetaceans (such as a dolphin, porpoise, or killer whale) bearing usually numerous simple conical teeth compare baleen whale
Examples of toothed whale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Only six species of animals—humans and five species of toothed whales—are known to experience menopause.
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Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 20 July 2023
Still, in the end, the massive sperm whale — the largest living member of the toothed whale genus — usually wins.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2023
Sperm whales – the largest species of toothed whales – are considered endangered, according to NOAA Fisheries, with roughly 2,000 whales estimated to live off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 June 2023
Their cousins the toothed whales—sperm whales, belugas, dolphins, and the like—use ultrasonic sonar signals to detect prey, but baleen whales don't have that ability.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2023
Connecticut Connecticut's state mammal is the sperm whale, the largest of the Earth's toothed whales.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2023
The sperm whale, a type of toothed whale, also makes a significant contribution of seven million metric tons.
—Jan Dönges, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2023
Xenorophids are one of the earliest types of toothed whale, and by examining the fossilized ears of these animals the ancestral condition for all living odontocetes can be inferred.
—Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2016
Spinner dolphins inhabit tropical waters around the globe and are a member of the toothed whale family.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 29 Sep. 2021
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Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 20 July 2023
Still, in the end, the massive sperm whale — the largest living member of the toothed whale genus — usually wins.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2023
Sperm whales – the largest species of toothed whales – are considered endangered, according to NOAA Fisheries, with roughly 2,000 whales estimated to live off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 June 2023
Their cousins the toothed whales—sperm whales, belugas, dolphins, and the like—use ultrasonic sonar signals to detect prey, but baleen whales don't have that ability.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2023
Connecticut Connecticut's state mammal is the sperm whale, the largest of the Earth's toothed whales.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2023
The sperm whale, a type of toothed whale, also makes a significant contribution of seven million metric tons.
—Jan Dönges, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2023
Xenorophids are one of the earliest types of toothed whale, and by examining the fossilized ears of these animals the ancestral condition for all living odontocetes can be inferred.
—Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2016
Spinner dolphins inhabit tropical waters around the globe and are a member of the toothed whale family.
—Amanda Jackson, CNN, 29 Sep. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toothed whale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near toothed whale
Cite this Entry
“Toothed whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toothed%20whale. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
toothed whale
noun
: any of a group of whales, dolphins, and porpoises with numerous sharp cone-shaped teeth compare baleen whale
More from Merriam-Webster on toothed whale
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toothed whale
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