nurse shark

noun

: any of various usually bottom-dwelling sharks (family Ginglymostomatidae) with barbels near the nostrils
especially : a large yellowish to grayish brown shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) of warm usually shallow coastal waters that is typically nonaggressive and rests often in groups on the sea floor during the day

Examples of nurse shark 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.
The discovery raises questions about the genetic variability of nurse sharks in the Caribbean Sea. Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025 The tiny, car-free island brims with dense mangroves, flourishing jungles, and a turquoise sea inviting you to snorkel through networks of coral reefs and around nurse sharks, stingrays, and turtles. Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 14 Aug. 2025 The aquarium’s shark alley exhibition features seven species, including nurse sharks, sandbar sharks and largetooth sawfish sharks. Irit Skulnik, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025 Dancing With Sharks - Watch five divers compete to put together an amazing underwater routine with sharks, from hammerheads to tigers and nurse sharks. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for nurse shark

Word History

Etymology

alteration of nusse

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nurse shark was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Nurse shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nurse%20shark. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

nurse shark

noun
: a shark of warm waters that is active at night

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