killer whale

noun

: a relatively small toothed whale (Orcinus orca of the family Delphinidae) that is black above with white underparts and white oval-shaped patches behind the eyes, attains a length of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters), typically hunts in groups, and preys chiefly on sea mammals (such as seals, sea lions, and other whales), large fish, and squid

called also orca

Examples of killer whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read Next World 50-year-old man tried to ‘body slam’ killer whale, officials say. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

Southern resident killer whales, which spend much of the summer and fall in Washington’s Puget Sound, have been listed under the Endangered Species Act since 2005; around 70 individuals of this group remain in the wild. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2024

This behavior is atypical, as killer whales have rarely targeted boats in the past. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 29 May 2024

Read Next 50-year-old man tried to ‘body slam’ killer whale, officials say. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

killer whale

noun

kill·​er whale

ˈkil-ər-

: a flesh-eating mostly black toothed whale 20 to 30 feet (about 6 to 9 meters) long that travels in groups