krill

noun

ˈkril How to pronounce krill (audio)
: planktonic crustaceans and their larvae (order or suborder Euphausiacea and especially genus Euphausia) that constitute the principal food of baleen whales

Examples of krill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even baleen whales eat swarms of tiny animals known as krill. — Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 18 Mar. 2026 Their diet includes fish, squid, crabs, krill and other sea life. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 Fin whales, like other large marine life drawn to the area, feast on krill and schooling fish. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 May 2026 Aker is the world's largest harvester of krill, responsible for over half the world's catch. — CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for krill

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian kril fry of fish

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of krill was in 1907

Rhymes for krill

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Browse Nearby Words

krigia
krill
krimmer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Krill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/krill. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

krill

noun
ˈkril How to pronounce krill (audio)
: small crustaceans and their larvae that make up plankton and form a major food of baleen whales

More from Merriam-Webster on krill

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about krill

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