killer whale

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noun

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

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Origin of killer whale

First recorded in 1880–85

Words nearby killer whale

killer bee, killer boat, killer cell, killer-diller, killer T cell, killer whale, killick, killickinnic, Killiecrankie, killifish, killikinick

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use killer whale in a sentence

However, unlike resident killer whales, Bigg’s killer whales live in smaller social groups, usually consisting of just the mother and her offspring.
These killer whales go through menopause|Sara Kiley Watson|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
The post These killer whales go through menopause appeared first on Popular Science.
These killer whales go through menopause|Sara Kiley Watson|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
One explanation may dive deep into the evolutionary past of killer whales—it is possible menopause evolved in an ancient common ancestor of both Bigg’s and resident killer whales.
These killer whales go through menopause|Sara Kiley Watson|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
“This is a really interesting study that shows the inner workings of the social lives of killer whales in a level of detail that we don’t usually have access to,” wrote Samarra, who was not involved in the research.
Drones revealed the intricate social lives of these killer whales|Claire Maldarelli|June 16, 2021|Popular-Science

The Southern Resident killer whales still come by, and sure, people get excited about one here and a couple there, and every so often they all come together, but it’s not like it used to be.
Is It Too Late for the Southern Resident Orcas?|Catherine DeNardo|February 3, 2021|Outside Online
On February 24, 2010, Dawn Brancheau, a top SeaWorld trainer was killed by Tilikum, a 12,000 pound killer whale.
‘Blackfish’ Director: Killer Whales Don’t Belong in Captivity|Gabriela Cowperthwaite|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even more astounding is that no killer whale has ever killed a human being in the wild.
‘Blackfish’ Director: Killer Whales Don’t Belong in Captivity|Gabriela Cowperthwaite|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When she wore a black-and-white striped dress, the Internet cruelly compared her to a Killer Whale.
Kim Kardashian Posts Revealing Post-Baby Instagram of Butt, Internet Goes Crazy|Marlow Stern|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Killer Whale was often used as a family emblem or crest and as a source from which personal names were derived.
Indian Legends of Vancouver Island|Alfred Carmichael
Stranded pygmy killer whales can be clearly distinguished from both the false killer whale and the many-toothed blackfish.
Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic|Stephen Leatherwood
Many-toothed blackfish may be confused with either the false killer whale or the pygmy killer whale.
Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic|Stephen Leatherwood
The lower part was carved with a killer whale, and the human being stood upon the whale.
Myths and Legends of British North America|Katharine Berry Judson
He said, “This is going to be the white-mouthed killer whale.”
Myths and Legends of Alaska|Various

British Dictionary definitions for killer whale

killer whale

noun

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

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