baleen

American  

[buh-leen] / bəˈlin /

noun

1. an elastic, horny substance growing in place of teeth in the upper jaw of certain whales, and forming a series of thin, parallel plates on each side of the palate; whalebone.

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baleen British  

/ bəˈliːn /

noun

1. whalebone

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baleen Scientific  

/ bə-lēn′ /

1. A flexible horny substance hanging in fringed plates from the upper jaw of baleen whales. It is used to strain plankton from seawater when feeding.

2. Also called whalebone

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Etymology

Origin of baleen

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English balene (from Anglo-French baleine, beleine, ) from Latin bal(l)ēna, variant of bal(l)aena “whale,” from an unidentified language, also the source of Greek phál(l)aina “whale”; replacing Middle English balayn, Middle French balaine “whale(bone),” from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Baleen whale arytenoids look like large, long cylinders which are fused at their base, and thereby create a U-shaped structure covering nearly the entire length of the larynx.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2024

Baleen whales are the largest animals to have ever roamed our planet and as top predators play a vital role in marine ecosystems.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

Baleen whales, instead, have a large U-shaped structure with a cushion of fat at the top of the larynx.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024

Baleen species are believed to like having their heads scratched—gray whales are known for approaching whale watching boats for a tickle on the nose.

From National Geographic • Oct. 9, 2023

Baleen whales like to frequent the southernmost and northernmost seas.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.

Related Words

• mammal
• porpoise