1. people who hunt whales for their oil, meat, or other products
Usage: historical
2. ships used for hunting whales
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The whalers set sail from New Bedford in search of sperm whales.
• Many whalers worked dangerous jobs in the 19th century.
• The museum displays harpoons used by early whalers.
• Two large whalers were anchored in the harbor.
• The whalers returned after months at sea with barrels of whale oil.
• Modern regulations have largely ended the era of commercial whalers.