krill
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of krill
First recorded in 1905–10, krill is from the Norwegian word kril young fry (of fish)
Explanation
Krill are small crustaceans that resemble shrimp. Hundreds of marine animals rely on krill for food, making them a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem. Krill may be most well-known as the preferred food of baleen whales, which filter the tiny creatures through mouthfuls of sea water. There are actually dozens and dozens of organisms that rely on krill to survive, from birds and fish to penguins, seals, and squid. Krill resemble shrimp, averaging about two inches long. Antarctic krill are one of the world's species with the largest biomass — almost 400 million tons. The Norwegian root, kril, means "small fry of fish."
Vocabulary lists containing krill
Amazing Animals, A-Z
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Amazing Animals, List 3
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Oceanography - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Krill fishing companies harvested almost half a million tonnes of krill in 2020, according to the UN.
From BBC • Jul. 4, 2025
Krill counsels law firms to build cultures where managers check in regularly, and employees feel comfortable accessing counseling.
From Seattle Times • May 17, 2023
"Krill abundance will decline in Antarctic waters, impacting everything from penguins to whales," Hocevar explained.
From Salon • May 4, 2023
Krill are not as thrilling to track as their predators, but in recent years the science that happens in the prey boat has produced the greatest gains.
From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2023
They were going to see him by Pash's advice, and Mrs. Krill was going to prosecute him for bigamy unless he allowed her a good income.
From The Opal Serpent by Hume, Fergus
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
