white whale

noun

1. beluga ( def 2 ).

white whale

noun

1. a small white toothed whale, Delphinapterus leucas, of northern waters: family Monodontidae Also calledbeluga

Word History and Origins

Origin of white whale¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

If Deadspin has one singular white whale, it is the guys in Bristol, Conn.

From The Daily Beast

American novelists no longer have the ambition, the reach, the balls, frankly, to seek that great white whale.

From The Daily Beast

Coup's Broadway Aquarium opened on October 11, 1876—too late to get a white whale that year.

From Project Gutenberg

The white whale is the only one of its tribe that can be captured in the manner related, because of its cowardly timidity.

From Project Gutenberg

They were upholstered with "bladder wrack," a most soft cushion, and in each box a white whale lay on these pneumatic cushions.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a great sign outdoor sayin', 'Come on aboard and see the White Whale,' or somethin' similar.

From Project Gutenberg

Blubber and white whale meat, frozen very hard, were packed for dog food.

From Project Gutenberg