whale shark

noun

: a shark (Rhincodon typus) of warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton strained by its gill rakers, may sometimes attain a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

Examples of whale shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The study comes as global populations of whale sharks — which live in warm and tropical waters around the world — have declined substantially. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025 Today, food is a selling point as valuable as whale shark sightings or diving the most beautiful coral reefs in the world (both of which Aqua Blu offer, natch). Lela London, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 As most whale shark sightings took place at bagans, when tourism was growing, researchers conclude that initiatives to protect the species were necessary to prevent further injuries from bagans or boats. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025 Cargo vessels are killing whale sharks and right whales and sea turtles. Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whale shark

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whale shark was circa 1885

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Cite this Entry

“Whale shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale%20shark. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

whale shark

noun
: a harmless shark of warm waters that feeds chiefly on plankton, may sometimes grow to a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

More from Merriam-Webster on whale shark

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