killer whale

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of killer whale

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

New findings show that the transient killer whales living along the West Coast between British Columbia and California are actually divided into two separate subpopulations known as inner and outer coast transients.

From Science Daily

The 20-strong crew’s only outside company were pods of dolphins and killer whales, stray icebergs and the northern lights dancing across the night sky.

From The Wall Street Journal

In total, twenty whales - one killer whale and 19 belugas whales - have died at Marineland since 2019, according to the Canadian Press.

From BBC

The athlete began the swim in Reyjavik on 17 May, expecting to face choppy waters, killer whales and temperatures as low as 3C.

From BBC

The study of this threatened killer whale population, which lives in the coastal waters between Vancouver and Seattle, was started by Dr Ken Balcomb more than 50 years ago.

From BBC