killer whale

noun

1. any of several predatory dolphins, especially the black-and-white Orcinus orca, found in all seas.

killer whale

noun

1. a predatory black-and-white toothed whale, Orcinus orca, with a large erect dorsal fin, most common in cold seas: family Delphinidae Also calledkillergrampusorc

Word History and Origins

Origin of killer whale¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

However, unlike resident killer whales, Bigg’s killer whales live in smaller social groups, usually consisting of just the mother and her offspring.

From Popular-Science

The post These killer whales go through menopause appeared first on Popular Science.

From Popular-Science

One explanation may dive deep into the evolutionary past of killer whales—it is possible menopause evolved in an ancient common ancestor of both Bigg’s and resident killer whales.

From Popular-Science

“This is a really interesting study that shows the inner workings of the social lives of killer whales in a level of detail that we don’t usually have access to,” wrote Samarra, who was not involved in the research.

From Popular-Science

The Southern Resident killer whales still come by, and sure, people get excited about one here and a couple there, and every so often they all come together, but it’s not like it used to be.

From Outside Online

On February 24, 2010, Dawn Brancheau, a top SeaWorld trainer was killed by Tilikum, a 12,000 pound killer whale.

From The Daily Beast

Even more astounding is that no killer whale has ever killed a human being in the wild.

From The Daily Beast

When she wore a black-and-white striped dress, the Internet cruelly compared her to a Killer Whale.

From The Daily Beast

The Killer Whale was often used as a family emblem or crest and as a source from which personal names were derived.

From Project Gutenberg

Stranded pygmy killer whales can be clearly distinguished from both the false killer whale and the many-toothed blackfish.

From Project Gutenberg

Many-toothed blackfish may be confused with either the false killer whale or the pygmy killer whale.

From Project Gutenberg

The lower part was carved with a killer whale, and the human being stood upon the whale.

From Project Gutenberg

He said, “This is going to be the white-mouthed killer whale.”

From Project Gutenberg