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Definition of orca

orca

/ˈɔːr.kə/
or · ca

Plural:orcas
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orca Lexical Profile

orca Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large toothed whale (Orcinus orca) characterized by distinctive black-and-white markings, recognized as the largest apex predator member of the oceanic dolphin family and found in marine environments worldwide.

Example

"During the wildlife cruise, the students watched in awe as a pod of orcas breached the surface to hunt for fish."

• Rhymes for orca

Word Origin & Etymology

From Latin 'orca', a type of whale, which is likely related to the Latin word for a large-bellied pot or jar, possibly referencing the animal's shape.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Orca. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/orca
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