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killer whale

American

noun

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

killer whale British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of killer whale

First recorded in 1880–85

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.

"These two communities of transient killer whale inhabit very different worlds and lead distinctly different lives," said Dr. Trites.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2025

Dr Weiss said the new finding highlighted "yet another way these whales' society and culture is unique and the importance of recovering the southern resident killer whale population".

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025

Nevermind that Cope probably never saw a living killer whale.

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

Nereus spun and expanded, turning into a killer whale, but I grabbed his dorsal fin as he burst out of the water.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023