giant squid

noun

: any of a genus (Architeuthis) of extremely large squids that may attain a length of 60 feet (18 meters) and include the largest mollusks known

Examples of giant squid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While sperm whales dive deep into the oceans to make meals out of giant squid, orcas occasionally punch above their weight, taking on blue whales (the largest animals to ever exist). Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023 Pacific sleeper sharks are covert creatures, hefty as great whites and the only predators besides sperm whales that are known to hunt giant squid. Susan Casey, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2023 Another sighting in the Gulf of Mexico in 2019 showed a giant squid attacking an underwater camera designed to track it. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2023 Marine life can be killed directly by this noise as well as cause internal injuries to animals like the giant squid. Gabriella Sotelo, Treehugger, 14 July 2023 Her favorite topics include, but are not limited to: the giant squid, punk rock, and robotics. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 10 July 2023 While there is little video evidence, there is some footage of giant squids. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2023 It is fixed in place, but instead of the usual metal claw wields a gripper covered with vacuum suckers reminiscent of a giant squid. Will Knight, WIRED, 26 June 2023 Historians remain uncertain as to the sea monk’s true identity: perhaps a giant squid or walrus. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giant squid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of giant squid was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near giant squid

Cite this Entry

“Giant squid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giant%20squid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

giant squid

noun
: any of a group of very large squids up to 60 feet (18 meters) long including the long arms

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