plural whales
often attributive
1
or plural whale
: any of various very large, aquatic, marine mammals (order Cetacea) that have a torpedo-shaped body with a thick layer of blubber, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, a horizontally flattened tail, and nostrils that open externally at the top of the head
also
: cetacean see baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: one that is impressive especially in size
a whale of a difference
a whale of a good time
whaled; whaling
Synonyms
Examples of whale in a Sentence
Noun
a whale of a pickup truck
Verb (2)
whaled the ball so hard that it sailed over the fence and into the neighbor's yard
whaled the rug with a broom to knock the dirt out of it
mercilessly whaled the pickpocket for stealing from her purse
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Lives unfold and unravel as the uncertain human beings wonder whether the whales will ever return.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Naturally, sources of offshore energy favored by Biden, such as offshore wind turbines (which may be killing whales), would likely be exempted from the designation.
—Andrew Follett, National Review, 5 Jan. 2025
The whales typically spend several months each year along Washington’s coastline in Puget Sound.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for whale 
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Noun
By Chase’s retelling, the whale rammed the Essex one more time before disappearing for good.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Lives unfold and unravel as the uncertain human beings wonder whether the whales will ever return.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Naturally, sources of offshore energy favored by Biden, such as offshore wind turbines (which may be killing whales), would likely be exempted from the designation.
—Andrew Follett, National Review, 5 Jan. 2025
The whales typically spend several months each year along Washington’s coastline in Puget Sound.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for whale
Articles Related to whale
Dictionary Entries Near whale
Cite this Entry
“Whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whale. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whale
1 of 3 noun
ˈhwā(ə)l 
ˈwā(ə)l
plural whales or whale
1
: a water-dwelling mammal (as a humpback whale or a killer whale) that is a cetacean of usually very large size with a torpedo-shaped body, front limbs modified into flippers but no hind limbs, and a tail flattened and extended to the sides as flukes and that usually breathes through an opening on top of the head compare baleen whale, toothed whale
2
: something large enough to catch attention
it made a whale of a difference
whale
2 of 3 verb
whaled; whaling
: to hunt whales
Etymology
Noun
Old English hwæl "whale"
Verb
origin unknown
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