Definition of walrus
walrus
orwalruses
: a large gregarious marine mammal (Odobenus rosmarus of the family Odobenidae) of arctic waters related to the seals that has limbs modified into webbed flippers, long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled hide, stiff whiskers, and a thick layer of blubber ◆The male walrus may reach a weight of over 3700 pounds (1678 kilograms). Walrus typically inhabit moving pack ice and usually feed on organisms (such as clams and mussels) living on or near the ocean's bottom. Walrus of the northern Atlantic are considered a separate subspecies (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the somewhat larger northern Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens).
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of walrus from the Web
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With a growing body of knowledge from whalers and walrus hunters sailing the Arctic, depictions of the more northerly latitudes and their inhabitants became increasingly accurate.
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Fitzgerald suggests that a very different sort of living marine mammal might provide a clue as to how the teeth of Mammalodon became so worn; the walrus.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'walrus'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of walrus
Dutch, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian hvalros walrus, Old Norse rosmhvalr
First Known Use: 1728
WALRUS Defined for English Language Learners
walrus
playDefinition of walrus for English Language Learners
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: a large animal that lives on land and in the sea in northern regions and that has flippers and long tusks
WALRUS Defined for Kids
walrus
playDefinition of walrus for Students
: a large animal of northern seas that is related to the seal and has long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled hide, and flippers used in swimming, diving, and moving about on land
Learn More about walrus
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Spanish Central: Translation of walrus Nglish: Translation of walrus for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of walrus for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about walrus
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