Illustration of sperm whale
: a very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus synonym P. catodon) that has large conical teeth in the lower jaw, a single blowhole, and a massive squarish head with a closed cavity containing a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil, and that may reach a length in the male of nearly 60 feet (18.3 meters)
Examples of sperm whale in a Sentence
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Dominica Animal-lovers can head down to the Caribbean island of Dominica to visit what will likely become the world's first sperm whale reserve next year as the country acts on its commitment to marine conservation.
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Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Wildlife and wonder Fans of large toothed predators rejoice: Dominica is on the cusp of establishing the world’s first sperm whale reserve, with around 200 of the majestic beasts swimming its Caribbean waters year-round.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
How does Ishmael, in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, carry me through his pages-long descriptions of the weird gunk inside a sperm whale’s head?
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Two sperm whales hanging out in Southern California in recent weeks and days has whale enthusiasts excited about the deep-water dwellers’ visit off local waters.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
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Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Wildlife and wonder Fans of large toothed predators rejoice: Dominica is on the cusp of establishing the world’s first sperm whale reserve, with around 200 of the majestic beasts swimming its Caribbean waters year-round.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
How does Ishmael, in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, carry me through his pages-long descriptions of the weird gunk inside a sperm whale’s head?
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Two sperm whales hanging out in Southern California in recent weeks and days has whale enthusiasts excited about the deep-water dwellers’ visit off local waters.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sperm whale
Cite this Entry
“Sperm whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sperm%20whale. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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