killer whale

American  

noun

• killer whales
  plural

1. any of several predatory dolphins, especially the black-and-white Orcinus orca, found in all seas.

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killer whale British  

noun

1. Also called: killer.   grampus.   orc.  a predatory black-and-white toothed whale, Orcinus orca, with a large erect dorsal fin, most common in cold seas: family Delphinidae

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• killer whales
  plural

Etymology

Origin of killer whale

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

killer whale

The centre, which studies the Southern Resident killer whale and works on its conservation, said Tahlequah had now lost two out of four documented calves - both of which were female.

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2025

Only a small tissue sample is needed to analyze killer whale DNA to tell a big genetic story.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2024

Tanned hides of elk and deer are stretched onto drums, for example, and animals like the killer whale are revered symbols of the hunt itself.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 19, 2024

"The study raises critical questions about the impact of killer whale predation on shark populations in South Africa," Dr. Towner says.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 2, 2024

“If you had to be in a tank of water with a killer whale or a stonefish, which would you choose?”

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt