killer whale

noun

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

killer whale

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of killer whale¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

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.

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

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

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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.

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The French government has been urged to reconsider rehoming two stranded killer whales in Canada.

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