killer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who causes the death of a person or animal
    slayer.
  2. noun the causal agent resulting in death
    cause of death.
    • heart disease is the biggest killer in the United States
  3. noun a difficulty that is hard to deal with
    • that exam was a real killer
  4. noun predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
    grampus; killer whale; sea wolf; Orcinus orca; orca.

WordNet

Kill"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who deprives of life; one who, or that which, kills.
  2. (Zoöl.) A voracious, toothed whale of the genus Orca, of which several species are known. ✍ The killers have a high dorsal fin, and powerful jaws armed with large, sharp teeth. They capture, and swallow entire, large numbers of seals, porpoises, and dolphins, and are celebrated for their savage, combined attacks upon the right whales, which they are said to mutilate and kill. The common Atlantic species (Orca gladiator), is found both on the European and the American coast. Two species (Orca ater and O. rectipinna) occur on the Pacific coast.

Webster 1913