great white shark

noun

: a large mackerel shark (Carcharodon carcharias) of warm seas that is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age and has been known to attack humans

called also white shark

see shark illustration

Examples of great white shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After this initial attack, the killer whale circles the great white shark to ensure the animal won't try to bite her or other pod members. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 But, in an odd case, researchers have recently observed orcas hunting alone — and attacking the apex predator, the great white shark. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 In the dark below, the ultimate apex predator — a great white shark — hunts in the wreckage and is drawn to the smell of fresh blood in the water. Alex Ritman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 Australia is home to large seal colonies—and many great white sharks that pursue them. Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 8 Feb. 2024 Also in 2024, the second stage of an EU Action Plan for the oceans will kick in, forcing a change in rules for bottom fishing and fishing gear to specifically protect species such as common skate, guitarfish, great white shark, sturgeons, and turtles. Helen Czerski, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 Breton is a 13-foot, 3-inch great white shark that marine science nonprofit OCEARCH has been tracking since 2020. Li Cohen, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2024 The film's villain, Bruce, is a great white shark with a relentless nature — and the creature doesn't discriminate. Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 Much like how great white sharks favor seals' blubber-rich hides, and generally don’t target less-fatty hominids like us, experts also believe that killer whales just aren’t as drawn to human flesh when compared with other fare like, say, nutrient-rich salmon. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'great white shark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great white shark was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near great white shark

Cite this Entry

“Great white shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20white%20shark. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

great white shark

noun
: a large and dangerous shark of warm seas that is quick to attack human beings and is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age

Medical Definition

great white shark

noun
: a large shark (Carcharodon carcharias of the family Lamnidae) that is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age and has been known to attack humans

called also white shark

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