whale shark

noun

: a shark (Rhincodon typus) of warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton strained by its gill rakers, may sometimes attain a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

Examples of whale 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.
Not even a whale shark, the biggest fish species on Earth. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024 Alongside him, other pod members, possibly including a related female, were observed in the hunts, indicating a potential specialization in targeting whale sharks. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 Researchers also need to understand why this pod in particular chose whale sharks as food, and also determine if all orcas employ a similar group hunting technique. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024 In all four attacks, the killer whales teamed up to hunt whale sharks in a calculated manner. New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whale shark 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whale shark was circa 1885

Dictionary Entries Near whale shark

Cite this Entry

“Whale shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale%20shark. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

whale shark

noun
: a harmless shark of warm waters that feeds chiefly on plankton, may sometimes grow to a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish

More from Merriam-Webster on whale shark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!