black whale n 1: small dark-colored whale of the Atlantic coast of the United States; the largest male acts as pilot or leader for the school [syn: {pilot whale}, {common blackfish}, {blackfish}, {Globicephala melaena}] 2: large whale with a large cavity in the head containing spermaceti and oil; also a source of ambergris [syn: {sperm whale}, {cachalot}, {Physeter catodon}]