plural whales
often attributive
1
or plural whale
: any of various very large, aquatic, marine mammals (order Cetacea) that have a torpedo-shaped body with a thick layer of blubber, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, a horizontally flattened tail, and nostrils that open externally at the top of the head
also
: cetacean see baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: one that is impressive especially in size
a whale of a difference
a whale of a good time
whaled; whaling
Synonyms
Examples of whale in a Sentence
Noun
a whale of a pickup truck
Verb (2)
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Sightings might include sea-life such as whales and dolphins, with an uptick in whale sighting now that whale migration season has begun in early November.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
In 2019 and 2020, the fishing line danger to whales resulted in a crabbing delay of several weeks.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
To set it up, insert the six sea animal toys (an octopus, crab, two whales, and two starfishes); fill the mat’s center with water; and inflate the rim.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whale 
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Noun
Getting to the cream Several animals that live in groups learn from one another, including elephants, whales, and some primates.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
Sightings might include sea-life such as whales and dolphins, with an uptick in whale sighting now that whale migration season has begun in early November.
—Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
In 2019 and 2020, the fishing line danger to whales resulted in a crabbing delay of several weeks.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
To set it up, insert the six sea animal toys (an octopus, crab, two whales, and two starfishes); fill the mat’s center with water; and inflate the rim.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whale
Articles Related to whale
Dictionary Entries Near whale
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whale
1 of 3 noun
ˈhwā(ə)l 
ˈwā(ə)l
plural whales or whale
1
: a water-dwelling mammal (as a humpback whale or a killer whale) that is a cetacean of usually very large size with a torpedo-shaped body, front limbs modified into flippers but no hind limbs, and a tail flattened and extended to the sides as flukes and that usually breathes through an opening on top of the head compare baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: something large enough to catch attention
it made a whale of a difference
whale
2 of 3 verb
whaled; whaling
: to hunt whales
Etymology
Noun
Old English hwæl "whale"
Verb
origin unknown
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