whale oil

American  

noun

1. oil rendered from whale blubber, formerly widely used as a fuel for lamps and for making soap and candles.

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whale oil British  

noun

1. oil obtained either from the blubber of whales (train oil) or the head of the sperm whale (sperm oil)

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Etymology

Origin of whale oil

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Some believed this clean-burning fuel might one day replace whale oil as America’s chief indoor lighting source.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

Two whale oil lamps cast a dim light.

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2023

Demand for whale oil dropped when petroleum, which had begun to supplant it around the mid-19th century, gained popularity.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

Palm oil consumption grew as competitors dropped away: first whale oil in the 1960s, then fats like tallow and lard.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2021

The whale oil lamps stayed on nearly the whole day in the factory, so water buckets were kept filled on every floor.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson