plural whales
often attributive
1
or plural whale
: any of various very large, aquatic, marine mammals (order Cetacea) that have a torpedo-shaped body with a thick layer of blubber, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, a horizontally flattened tail, and nostrils that open externally at the top of the head
also
: cetacean see baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: one that is impressive especially in size
a whale of a difference
a whale of a good time
whaled; whaling
Synonyms
Examples of whale in a Sentence
Noun
a whale of a pickup truck
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Schreiber also included another series of photos with pictures of wildlife from the trip, including a selfie amongst an iceberg and a photo of an orca whale.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Different species of whales migrate and breed at different times and in different regions.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
With fewer than 360 whales remaining, the North Atlantic right whale is approaching extinction, NOAA says.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries department, the North Atlantic species of right whale is one of the most endangered whales.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Mar. 2024
Injuries from a vessel strike killed an endangered whale found off the Virginia coast.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Landing that whale will require teamwork: The show must first reunite its central duo, and Deborah and Ava then must work together to convince the world to give Deborah Vance her greatest star turn yet.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Concerns that holding whales in captivity constitutes animal cruelty have spread beyond PETA to the public at large.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
Wildlife rules the operations in Antarctica, where penguins, seals, and whales are at the top of travelers’ checklists.
—Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Schreiber also included another series of photos with pictures of wildlife from the trip, including a selfie amongst an iceberg and a photo of an orca whale.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Different species of whales migrate and breed at different times and in different regions.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
With fewer than 360 whales remaining, the North Atlantic right whale is approaching extinction, NOAA says.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries department, the North Atlantic species of right whale is one of the most endangered whales.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Mar. 2024
Injuries from a vessel strike killed an endangered whale found off the Virginia coast.
—USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Landing that whale will require teamwork: The show must first reunite its central duo, and Deborah and Ava then must work together to convince the world to give Deborah Vance her greatest star turn yet.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Concerns that holding whales in captivity constitutes animal cruelty have spread beyond PETA to the public at large.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to whale
Dictionary Entries Near whale
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whale
1 of 3 noun
ˈhwā(ə)l 
ˈwā(ə)l
plural whales or whale
1
: a water-dwelling mammal (as a humpback whale or a killer whale) that is a cetacean of usually very large size with a torpedo-shaped body, front limbs modified into flippers but no hind limbs, and a tail flattened and extended to the sides as flukes and that usually breathes through an opening on top of the head compare baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: something large enough to catch attention
it made a whale of a difference
whale
2 of 3 verb
whaled; whaling
: to hunt whales
Etymology
Noun
Old English hwæl "whale"
Verb
origin unknown
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share