kraken

noun

kra·​ken ˈkra-kən How to pronounce kraken (audio) ˈkrä- How to pronounce kraken (audio)
variants or Kraken
plural krakens or Krakens or kraken or Kraken
: a gigantic tentacled sea monster of Scandinavian myth
Mythical krakens are now thought of as giant squid or octopuses, capable of bringing down a ship with their tentacled arms. But many of the earliest kraken reports were of creatures so enormous that they grew vegetation on their backs like islands.Stephanie Pappas

Examples of kraken in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Starring: Lana Condor, Annie Murphy, Jane Fonda Don't let the mermaids and krakens fool you—this isn't your ordinary animated feature. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 6 Oct. 2023 According to the study, this behavior may have inspired legends of mermaids and krakens as early explorers and anglers sailed the seas. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023 Mixed in its pages are original sketches and paintings from the expedition, a display of creatures every bit as strange as the kraken and the leviathan, though far less demonic. Carl Hoffman, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2023 Jumping into the ocean activates a dormant power within the young kraken, who, while saving her crush from drowning, grows exponentially. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 June 2023 Ruby Gillman, voiced by Lana Condor, is part of a family of four krakens passing as humans. Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2023 Take, for example, the finale of his 2018 movie Hotel Transylvania 3, a DJ battle to control the dance moves of an enormous kraken. Vulture, 21 June 2023 Contact with water awakens something deep within Ruby and releases her inner kraken. Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 June 2023 After feasting on the delicious sea reptile, the kraken felt artistic and made a self-portrait, arranging their bones in a pattern resembling the suckers on its tentacle. Douglas Main, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2011

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

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian dialect

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kraken was in 1755

Dictionary Entries Near kraken

Cite this Entry

“Kraken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kraken. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kraken

noun
kra·​ken ˈkräk-ən How to pronounce kraken (audio)
: a sea monster of Scandinavian legend

More from Merriam-Webster on kraken

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!