white whale

American  

noun

1. beluga.

---

white whale British  

noun

1. Also called: beluga.  a small white toothed whale, Delphinapterus leucas, of northern waters: family Monodontidae

---

Etymology

Origin of white whale

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

That is, if he could only sort out the problem of the white whale, then he would be sorting out the entire world.

From Los Angeles Times

The art was reissued later that year by Random House in a one-volume trade edition, helping to make Kent’s turbulent engravings—of Captain Ahab, the Pequod’s crew and the elusive white whale—iconic.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company still has one major white whale: an Emmy nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

The Oilers have clearly become the Kings’ white whale, the foe who must be vanquished.

From Los Angeles Times

Pens can clearly be seen in the water with what appear to be white whales inside.

From BBC