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
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Research has documented plastics in a variety of sharks (such as whale sharks, basking sharks, manta rays, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, and a few demersal sharks to name a few) across different habitats.
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Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The pristine reefs here are home to an abundance of marine life and endless underwater cleaning stations that attract resident manta rays, whale sharks, and turtles.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
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
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
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Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The pristine reefs here are home to an abundance of marine life and endless underwater cleaning stations that attract resident manta rays, whale sharks, and turtles.
—Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for whale shark
Cite this Entry
“Whale shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale%20shark. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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