giant squid

American  

noun

1. any squid of the genus Architeuthis, inhabiting deep ocean bottoms and sometimes attaining an arm span of 65 feet (20 meters) or more.

---

Etymology

Origin of giant squid

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

A giant squid was washed up dead at nearby Newburgh in 1998, but the suckers on the Forvie arms did not have teeth like a squid's.

From BBC

The giant squid and the sharks had no problems diving deep.

From Literature

Mr. Ellis spent much of his life traveling to exotic locales, where he bobbed around on boats and went diving in search of giant squid, great white sharks and other fantastical, elusive deep-sea creatures.

From New York Times

It’s possible the creatures were giant squids, or pinnipeds, like seals or sea lions.

From National Geographic

“I thought I saw a giant squid,” George said.

From Literature