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

With high shipping costs typically translating into steep prices for groceries, foods harvested from the ocean — fish, whales, seals, walrus — are essential for subsistence. —Nathaniel Herz, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023

The baby Pacific walrus was alone, and there were no adult walruses in sight. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023

Tragically, many walruses, particularly young calves, die in these stampedes. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2023

Fully grown, a male Pacific walrus is up to 12 feet long and can weigh as much as 2 tons. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023

The 150-pound walrus calf was found alone and suffering from malnutrition and dehydration about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea, with no adult walruses in sight. —Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2023

The Pacific walrus calf, believed to be roughly a month old, was found lost and alone about 4 miles inland from the Beaufort Sea. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2023

Walrus calves depend on their mothers for the first two years of life, and no adult walruses were in sight when this one was found, according to the center. —Michelle Watson, CNN, 12 Aug. 2023

This is a nature enthusiast's fantasy vacation — the next best thing to Antarctica, perhaps — brimming with glaciers, bound by rugged coastlines, home to polar bears and walruses, and offering some of the best views of the northern lights. —Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2023

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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