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

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Etymology

Origin of killer whale

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

killer whale

Killer whales have previously been observed carrying deceased calves, including a case where a female Southern Resident killer whale carried her dead calf for at least 17 days.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

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

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 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

But when a killer whale catches and eats a baby seal, I immediately change it back to the Korean variety show.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

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