pilot whale

noun

: either of two dark gray to black, medium-sized toothed whales (Globicephala melas and G. macrorhynchus) of temperate to tropical waters that have a large rounded forehead and short snout and typically feed on squid and small fish

called also blackfish

Examples of pilot 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.
Despite their name, pilot whales belong to the dolphin family. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 New Zealand has long been a hotspot for whale strandings, with pilot whales being particularly susceptible to such events. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 Given Australia’s history of pilot whale strandings, this was not uncommon. Donna Sarkar, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024 In similar archaeological and historical studies in the Faroe Islands, the relatively svelte pilot whale dominated. Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pilot whale 

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pilot whale was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near pilot whale

Cite this Entry

“Pilot whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilot%20whale. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pilot whale

noun
: either of two mostly black medium-sized toothed whales related to the dolphins

More from Merriam-Webster on pilot whale

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