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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Marineland has until December 2026 to rehome its two remaining killer whales, Keijo and Wikie. —

Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 The tragic event highlighted the plight of the Southern Resident killer whales, whose population struggles under immense environmental pressures. —

Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025 Southern Resident killer whales, one of several distinct orca communities that inhabit the Pacific Northwest, generally stay near British Columbia and Washington State, though some swim north to Alaska and south to California. —

Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 It’s estimated there are only 50,000 killer whales globally. —

Doha Madani, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for killer whale