sperm whale

noun

ˈspərm- 

: a very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus synonym P. catodon) that has large conical teeth in the lower jaw, a single blowhole, and a massive squarish head with a closed cavity containing a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil, and that may reach a length in the male of nearly 60 feet (18.3 meters)

Illustration of sperm whale

Examples of sperm whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and it’s known to dive as deep as 1,000 meters in search of squid to eat. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

The species — a type of toothed whale and close relative of the pygmy sperm whale — is believed to be a rare visitor to Australian waters. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025

In March 2024, a deceased sperm whale washed up on a Venice beach. —Jon Chapman, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025

Some of the most common animal extracts used in hair perfumes are musk and ambergris, which is a waxy substance that is secreted by sperm whales. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for spermaceti whale

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sperm whale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

sperm whale

noun

: a large toothed whale with a large chamber in the skull that contains a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil