Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Whaler /wāʹlər/ · Whal·er · IPA /ˈweɪlɚ/ n. n. 01 n. A vessel or person employed in the whale fishery. 1. A vessel or person employed in the whale fishery. 02 n. One who whales, or beats; a big, strong fellow; hence, anything of great or unusual size. 1. One who whales, or beats; a big, strong fellow; hence, anything of great or unusual size.[Colloq. U. S.]