walrus

noun

wal·​rus ˈwȯl-rəs 

ˈwäl-

plural walrus or walruses

: 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

Note: 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).

Examples of walrus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Well, unless your daily life involves seeing polar bear cubs wrestle on the low-sloping side of a mountain, or observing eight walruses snuggling in a pile to keep warm on drift ice. —Jennifer Billock, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2024

Pacific walruses live in the Bering and Chukchi seas, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 25 July 2024

This includes lions and tigers and bears (oh my), baby elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, pythons, alligators, kangaroos, dolphins and 3,000-pound walruses. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 23 July 2024

The walrus tusk ivory sculpture depicts Jesus Christ’s body being lifted from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea. —Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Dutch, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian hvalros walrus, Old Norse rosmhvalr

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

walrus

noun

wal·​rus ˈwȯl-rəs 

ˈwäl-

plural walrus or walruses

: a large mammal of cold northern seas that is related to the seals and has long ivory tusks, a tough wrinkled hide with a thick layer of blubber below, stiff whiskers, and flippers used in swimming, diving, and moving about on land