sperm whale

noun

ˈspərm- 

: a very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus synonym P. catodon) that has large conical teeth in the lower jaw, a single blowhole, and a massive squarish head with a closed cavity containing a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil, and that may reach a length in the male of nearly 60 feet (18.3 meters)

Illustration of sperm whale

Examples of sperm whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The species — a type of toothed whale and close relative of the pygmy sperm whale — is believed to be a rare visitor to Australian waters. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025

In March 2024, a deceased sperm whale washed up on a Venice beach. —Jon Chapman, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025

Some of the most common animal extracts used in hair perfumes are musk and ambergris, which is a waxy substance that is secreted by sperm whales. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

The 2015 Ron Howard film was based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2000 nonfiction book of the same name, which investigates the 1820 sinking of a whaling ship that was caused by a sperm whale attack. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for spermaceti whale

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sperm whale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

sperm whale

noun

: a large toothed whale with a large chamber in the skull that contains a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil