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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
Sperm whales are highly social creatures that roam the world’s oceans together, diving deep in search of giant squid, their favorite food.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
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
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
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 10 Jun. 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
More from Merriam-Webster on giant squid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about giant squid
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