white whale

American  

noun

1. beluga.

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white whale British  

noun

1. Also called: beluga.  a small white toothed whale, Delphinapterus leucas, of northern waters: family Monodontidae

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Etymology

Origin of white whale

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

The company still has one major white whale: an Emmy nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

The Oilers have clearly become the Kings’ white whale, the foe who must be vanquished.

From Los Angeles Times

Pens can clearly be seen in the water with what appear to be white whales inside.

From BBC

Beside taste, price parity is the other white whale that meat and dairy substitutes have been chasing.

From Salon

As for Rome, he doesn’t regret devoting a career to chasing what some might see as a white whale.

From Science Magazine