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
Texas, the only state where Chagas disease in animals has been a reportable condition, 431 canine cases were reported from 2013–2015 in addition to cases in two cats, one horse, one rat, three chimpanzees and one walrus, per the health agency.
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Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Obama broke down the Pacific Ocean's humpback whales and their migration process and explained how walruses in the Arctic Ocean were coping with climate change, while also making sure to hit the Indian, Southern and Atlantic Oceans in the process.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
In Svalbard, visitors can also spot walruses, appreciate incredible icy scenery, and look for the northern lights if there is solar activity and the weather is cooperating.
—Kristen Pope, AFAR Media, 27 Aug. 2025
Departing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, guests will journey through fjords and remote islands in search of polar bears, walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and whales in their natural habitat.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025
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Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Sep. 2025
Obama broke down the Pacific Ocean's humpback whales and their migration process and explained how walruses in the Arctic Ocean were coping with climate change, while also making sure to hit the Indian, Southern and Atlantic Oceans in the process.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
In Svalbard, visitors can also spot walruses, appreciate incredible icy scenery, and look for the northern lights if there is solar activity and the weather is cooperating.
—Kristen Pope, AFAR Media, 27 Aug. 2025
Departing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, guests will journey through fjords and remote islands in search of polar bears, walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and whales in their natural habitat.
—India Brown, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for walrus
Cite this Entry
“Walrus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walrus. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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