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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
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
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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
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1885, in the meaning defined above
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 12 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
More from Merriam-Webster on whale shark
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whale shark
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