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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Further out to sea, some of the most spectacular ocean creatures await — including giant whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 The resort town ranks high for natural beauty, including bioluminescent lagoons and whale shark tours, and safety. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 28 May 2024 Adult whale sharks do not stay with their young after birth, and only around 10 percent of them make it to adulthood. Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024 Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news There are more than 500 species of sharks in the world’s oceans, from the 7-inch dwarf lantern shark to whale sharks that can grow to over 35 feet long. Michael Heithaus, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 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 24 Nov. 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

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