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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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. Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025 When not being hunted, whale sharks can live to 150 years, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024 However, the presence of industrial infrastructure is not without risks for whale sharks. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The orcas appear to be targeting the whale sharks’ ventral side–the area near their bellies. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for whale shark 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whale shark was circa 1885

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

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