orca
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of orca
First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin, former taxonomic name, from Latin, a kind of whale, perhaps a grampus, from Greek óryga (accusative of óryx ), a kind of large fish, perhaps a narwhal. The g became c under the influence of Latin orca, a kind of large earthenware vessel with a narrow neck; orc
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even so, the authors stress that much more research is required to understand the diversity of circoviruses in cetaceans, how they are transmitted, and what effects they may have on whale and orca health.
From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026
Keiko, the orca that starred in the 1993 move Free Willy, was rescued from captivity in 1996 before being taken to a bay in Iceland in 1998.
From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025
On Monday researchers observed a new young orca swimming with the J pod, which they named J62.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2025
I’ve written about sailors trading tips online over orca attacks and how savvy TikTok marketing revived a restaurant’s business.
From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2024
Cole spotted the glistening keel-like fins of an orca whale guiding her young calf along the shoreline in search of food.
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
