Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

white whale

Noun

ˈhwīt ˌwāl

Definition

A term that refers to an elusive or challenging goal or target, often one that is difficult to achieve.

Examples

Many entrepreneurs consider funding a startup their ‘white whale’ because they strive so hard to achieve it.
For some collectors, owning a first edition of a classic novel is their white whale.
His white whale in life was to climb Mount Everest, despite the physical challenges.

Meaning

The phrase ‘white whale’ originates from Herman Melville’s novel ‘Moby-Dick,’ where it represents Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest for the giant white sperm whale. In contemporary usage, it symbolizes an aspiration that is pursued with great effort, despite the odds against its achievement.