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

Jacky added that Jade wasn’t afraid of the great white sharks and would often see them in the sea. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says great white sharks typically live to be in their 70s. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Nov. 2024

And that struggle is symbolized on the small island town of Amity, where a massive great white shark terrorizes beachgoers. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

Shark Week 2024 will include Belly of the Beast Pt. 2, the next chapter in Shark Week's fascinating, real-life look at a great white shark feeding frenzy. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

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