Meaning & Definition of word "Whale"

Whale

/weɪl/

noun:

  • 1. A very large marine mammal belonging to the order Cetacea, which includes both whales and dolphins, characterized by breathing air through a blowhole.
    • Example: The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed.
  • 2. Any of various species of large aquatic mammals that are known for their intelligence and social behavior.
    • Example: Scientists are still learning about the complex social structures of orcas, also known as killer whales.
  • 3. A person or thing of immense size or importance.
    • Example: He is a whale in the business world, making multi-million dollar deals.

verb:

  • 1. To hunt or catch whales.
    • Example: Whalers used to sail the oceans in search of the great leviathans.
  • 2. To move or act with strength, especially in a powerful manner.
    • Example: The team whaled on their rivals, securing a strong victory.

Etymology

From Old English 'hwæl', related to Dutch 'walvis' and German 'Walfisch'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

whale of a time:

A very enjoyable time.

white whale:

An obsession or something one pursues obsessively despite repeated failures.

Related Words

cetacean:

A member of the order Cetacea, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

marine mammal:

A mammal that is primarily adapted to life in the ocean.

Slang Meanings of whale

Meaning: A person who spends a great deal of money in a casino.

Example Sentence: He’s a whale at the poker table, always betting big.

Meaning: To do something in a huge, overwhelming way.

Example Sentence: They decided to whale the project out before the deadline.