colossal squid

noun

: an extremely large squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) occurring in deep waters of the Southern Ocean that is the largest known living invertebrate
… would like to try for observations of the colossal squid, the only one larger than a giant squid. Discovered only in the 1920s, colossal squid live in the Antarctic Ocean and grow to perhaps 46 feet.Dan Vergano, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2013
Fishermen working in the Antarctic have landed a huge surprise: the first adult colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. A New Zealand vessel was deep fishing when it caught the squid, which is said to be male, 10 metres long and 450 kilograms in weight …New Scientist, 3 Mar. 2007

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of colossal squid was in 2003

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near colossal squid

Cite this Entry

“Colossal squid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colossal%20squid. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!