giant squid

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of giant squid¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Who knows what the hell could happen beneath the surface, but wouldn’t you hate to miss Tom Cruise fighting a giant squid in hand-to-tentacle combat?

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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.

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

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

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Buford said the team is also bringing back “The Tentacle” — a large-sized replica of a giant squid tentacle descending from the rafters, even though it wasn’t used in preseason games.

Read more on Seattle Times