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
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However, the presence of industrial infrastructure is not without risks for whale sharks. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The orcas appear to be targeting the whale sharks’ ventral side–the area near their bellies. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024 By attacking them from below, the orcas avoid the whale sharks' tough dorsal skin that has denticles embedded on the outside, with thick connective tissue beneath it. New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2024 Pre-copulatory behaviours of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 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 28 Jan. 2025.

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

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