fin whale

noun

: a baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus) that may attain a length of over 70 feet (21 meters) and is found chiefly in subtropical to arctic and antarctic waters worldwide

called also finback

Illustration of fin whale

Illustration of fin whale

Examples of fin whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Baleen whales—filter feeders that include blue whales, fin whales and humpback whales—make noises via a larynx, or voice box. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 An endangered fin whale was found washed up on Oregon's shore in February, with officials saying it was emaciated and entangled. Li Cohen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024 Experts at the museum suspect the carcass was a fin whale based on the size. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 25 Feb. 2024 Humpback whales and fin whales are often seen year-round, while blue whales are more common sights during the summer, Askari said. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2023 There are 14 types of baleen whales, including the humpback, blue, and fin whales. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024 In Ireland, researchers were worried that a 60-foot bloated fin whale would explode. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2023 The move is credited with having rescued several species, including humpbacks and fin whales, from extinction. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 The Antarctic Endeavour glides across the water’s silky surface as dozens of fin whales spray rainbows from their blowholes into a fairy tale icescape of massive glaciers. Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fin whale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fin whale was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near fin whale

Cite this Entry

“Fin whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fin%20whale. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fin whale

noun
: a baleen whale that may reach a length of over 70 feet (21 meters)

More from Merriam-Webster on fin whale

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