krill

[kril]

noun

plural

krill 

1. any of the small, pelagic, shrimplike crustaceans of the family Euphausiidae, eaten as food by certain whales.

krill

/ krɪl /

noun

1. any small shrimplike marine crustacean of the order Euphausiacea : the principal food of whalebone whales

krill

1. Small crustaceans that float in the ocean in huge numbers and are one of the most important parts of zooplankton. Krill are the main food of baleen whales.

Word History and Origins

Origin of krill¹

First recorded in 1905–10, krill is from the Norwegian word kril young fry (of fish)

Word History and Origins

Origin of krill¹

C20: from Norwegian kril young fish

Example Sentences

But warming waters as well as commercial harvesting of krill could threaten the future of zooplankton.

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The target of the new research effort is Antarctic krill, which are just a couple of inches long and one of the most abundant and important animals on the planet.

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One theory is that climate change is altering the abundance of the tiny shrimplike krill humpback whales feed on, forcing them to travel further in search of food.

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Filter feeders are everywhere in the animal world, from tiny crustaceans and certain types of coral and krill, to various molluscs, barnacles, and even massive basking sharks and baleen whales.

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In the rich, freezing seas off the peninsula, penguins, seals and many whales feed on Antarctic krill.

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