Definitions for sperm whale
sper·m whale

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sperm whale, cachalot, black whale, Physeter catodonnoun

   large whale with a large cavity in the head containing spermaceti and oil; also a source of ambergris

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sperm whalenoun

   A whale (Physeter macrocephalus), the largest of the toothed whales.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sperm whale

   The sperm whale or cachalot (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It is the only living member of the genus Physeter and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. The sperm whale is a pelagic mammal with a worldwide range, and will migrate seasonally for feeding and breeding. Females and young males live together in groups, while mature males (bulls) live solitary lives outside of the mating season. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. A mature sperm whale has few natural predators, although calves and weakened adults are sometimes killed by pods of killer whales (orcas). Mature males average 16 metres (52 ft) in length, with the head representing up to one-third of the animal's length. Plunging to 2,250 metres (7,382 ft), it is the third deepest diving mammal, exceeded only by the southern elephant seal and Cuvier's beaked whale. The sperm whale uses echolocation and vocalization as loud as 230 decibels (re 1 µPa m) underwater. It has the largest brain on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human's. Sperm whales can live 70 years or more.Spermaceti (sperm oil), from which the whale derives its name, was a prime target of the whaling industry, and was sought after for use in oil lamps, lubricants, and candles. Ambergris, a solid waxy waste product sometimes present in its digestive system, is still highly valued as a fixative in perfumes, among other uses. Beachcombers look out for ambergris as flotsam. Sperm whaling was a major industry in the 19th century, depicted in the novel Moby-Dick. The species is protected by the International Whaling Commission moratorium, and is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sperm whale

   A sperm whale is a large, toothed whale species known scientifically as Physeter macrocephalus. It is notable for its distinct, block-shaped head, which contains a substance called spermaceti, once used in oil lamps and lubricants. Found throughout the world's oceans, the sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and is known for its unique diving behavior, capable of diving to great depths in search of prey, primarily giant and colossal squid. It is also known for producing a series of "clicking" sounds which are among the loudest sounds produced by any animal.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sperm whale

   a very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus), having a head of enormous size. The upper jaw is destitute of teeth. In the upper part of the head, above the skull, there is a large cavity, or case, filled with oil and spermaceti. This whale sometimes grows to the length of more than eighty feet. It is found in the warmer parts of all the oceans. Called also cachalot, and spermaceti whale

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sperm whale

   The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales. It is the only living member of genus Physeter, and one of three extant species in the sperm whale family, along with the pygmy sperm whale and dwarf sperm whale of the genus Kogia. Its name derives from a waxy liquid called spermaceti, found in its enormous head. The sperm whale is also known as the cachalot. Mature males average at 16 metres in length but can reach 20.5 metres, with the head representing up to one-third of the animal's length. The sperm whale feeds primarily on giant and colossal squid. Plunging to 3 kilometres for prey, it is the deepest diving mammal. Its clicking vocalization, a form of echolocation and communication, can be as loud as 230 decibels underwater, making it the loudest sound produced by any animal. It has the largest brain of any animal on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human's. The sperm whale is cosmopolitan, living across the world's oceans in small groups called pods. Units of females and their young live separately from sexually mature males. The females cooperate to protect and nurse their young. Females give birth every four to twenty years, and care for the calves for more than a decade. Living up to 70 years, a mature sperm whale has few natural predators. Calves and weakened adults are taken by pods of orcas.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Sperm Whale

   The species Physeter catodon (also called Physeter macrocephalus), in the family Physeteridae. The common name is derived from the milky wax substance in its head (spermaceti). The species also produces an intestinal secretion AMBERGRIS, which was previously used in perfumes. The sperm whale is the largest toothed MAMMAL in the world.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. sperm whale

   Otherwise known as the cachalot, Physeter macrocephalus. A large cetacean, belonging to the division of delphinoid or toothed whales. It is found in nearly all tropical and temperate seas, and is much hunted for the valuable sperm-oil and spermaceti which it yields. When full grown, it may attain the length of 60 feet, of which the head occupies nearly one-third.

Matched Categories

1. • Toothed Whale

How to pronounce sperm whale?

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How to say sperm whale in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of sperm whale in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of sperm whale in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of sperm whale in a Sentence

1. Nicholas Pyenson:

   It's exciting to know more about the evolution of this enigmatic group, an entire description of a new fossil pygmy sperm whale — that's really valuable.

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=sperm whale
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sperm_Whale
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_Whale
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sperm whale
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=sperm whale
7. ^ Dictionary of Nautical Terms
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/26000/pg26000-images.html#:~:text=sperm whale