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great white shark

American  

noun

  1. a large shark, Carcharodon carcharias, of tropical and temperate seas, known to occasionally attack swimmers.


Etymology

Origin of great white shark

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

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Few marine animals inspire as much fascination and fear as the great white shark.

From Science Daily Jun. 26, 2026

It was a comment that has left fat cats like the Dodgers and New York Mets salivating at the possibility of reeling in the baseball equivalent of a great white shark before opening day.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 10, 2025

“In contrast, the great white shark, with a stocky body that becomes even stockier as it grows, can be 'large' but cannot pass 23 feet to be 'gigantic' because of hydrodynamic constraints.”

From Salon Mar. 10, 2025

Massachusetts police had to call in a tow truck to remove a giant great white shark after it washed up dead on a beach in Cape Cod.

From BBC Oct. 17, 2024

As Ronan laughs, his pole is yanked hard—a great white shark comes out of the water like a rocket off a launchpad.

From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

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