walrus

American  

[wawl-ruhs, wol-] / ˈwɔl rəs, ˈwɒl- /

noun

plural

walruses,

plural

walrus

1. a large marine mammal, Odobenus nosmarus, of Arctic seas, related to the seals, and having flippers, a pair of large tusks, and a tough, wrinkled skin.

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walrus British  

/ ˈwɔːlrəs, ˈwɒl- /

noun

1. a pinniped mammal, Odobenus rosmarus, of northern seas, having a tough thick skin, upper canine teeth enlarged as tusks, and coarse whiskers and feeding mainly on shellfish: family Odobenidae

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Usage

Plural word for walrus The plural form of walrus is walruses.  The plurals of several other singular words ending in -us are also formed in this way, such as virus/viruses, sinus/sinuses, and syllabus/syllabuses. In some words derived from Latin that end in -us, the irregular plural ending -i may be used instead, as in fungus/fungi and cactus/cacti. However, this ending is not valid for walrus. Walri would be an invalid plural form for walrus.

Etymology

Origin of walrus

First recorded in 1645–55; from Dutch: literally, “whale horse”; cognate with German Walross, Danish hvalros; compare Old English horshwæl “horse-whale”

Explanation

A walrus is a large mammal that lives in the sea and has big flippers and very long tusks. If you'd like to keep a walrus for a pet, you'll need a big pool full of salt water and plenty of clams, a walrus's favorite snack. Walruses are very distinctive, both for their tusks and whiskers and their size: some male walruses weigh over 2,000 pounds. They are extremely important in Arctic indigenous culture and are referenced frequently in Western culture as well. A couple of famous examples are Lewis Carroll's oyster-eating walrus in "The Walrus and the Carpenter." and the mysterious reference in the Beatles' "I Am the Walrus."

Example Sentences

In another close encounter, while filming underwater a hungry walrus mistook him for a seal and took hold of his legs.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I refuse to bury the Chiefs, because they have torched me so many times—presuming their inevitable demise, only to see clever coach Andy Reid pull off another victory by the walrus whiskers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

“There are some on-the-ground conservation measures that may help alleviate the stressors of climate change on the Pacific walrus population,” Johnson said.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025

I’m Ben Mathis-Lilley, filling in for Jim Newell, who has been deployed to far-northern Norway to investigate Russian sabotage attacks and is currently attempting to attach a surveillance device to a walrus.

From Slate • Sep. 14, 2024

“Hey, look at this, Prop!” he called as he stuck the walrus mustache under his nose.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke