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whale shark
noun
: a shark (Rhincodon typus) of warm waters that has small teeth, feeds chiefly on plankton strained by its gill rakers, may sometimes attain a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish
Examples of whale shark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thankfully, many safari outfitters offer dynamic itineraries—think pairing the quintessential South African safari with a surreal stint in Namibia or a blue safari grand finale in Mozambique filled with whales, dolphins, whale sharks, and dugongs—designed to engage animal lovers of all ages.
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Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025
When not being hunted, whale sharks can live to 150 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
However, the presence of industrial infrastructure is not without risks for whale sharks.
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Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The orcas appear to be targeting the whale sharks’ ventral side–the area near their bellies.
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1885, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near whale shark
Cite this Entry
“Whale shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale%20shark. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
whale shark
noun
: a harmless shark of warm waters that feeds chiefly on plankton, may sometimes grow to a length of up to 60 feet (18.3 meters), and is the largest known fish
More from Merriam-Webster on whale shark
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about whale shark
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