great white shark

noun

: a large mackerel shark (Carcharodon carcharias) of warm seas that is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age and has been known to attack humans

called also white shark

see shark illustration

Examples of great white shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The outlet reported that his father, Jacky Dixon, had been told he was killed by a great white shark. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie on July 23 when he was bitten by a great white shark, according to Australia’s ABC News and 9 News. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 24 July 2024

Jacky added that Jade wasn’t afraid of the great white sharks and would often see them in the sea. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says great white sharks typically live to be in their 70s. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

great white shark

noun

: a large and dangerous shark of warm seas that is quick to attack human beings and is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age

Medical Definition

great white shark

noun

: a large shark (Carcharodon carcharias of the family Lamnidae) that is bluish when young but becomes whitish with age and has been known to attack humans

called also white shark