dolphin

American  

[dawl-fin, dol-] / ˈdɔl fɪn, ˈdɒl- /

noun

1. any of several chiefly marine, cetacean mammals of the family Delphinidae, having a fishlike body, numerous teeth, and the front of the head elongated into a beaklike projection.

2. Also called dolphinfish, mahimahi.  Also called pompano dolphin.  either of two large, slender fishes, Coryphaena hippurus or C. equisetis, of warm and temperate seas.

3. Nautical.

   1. a pile, cluster of piles, or buoy to which a vessel may be moored in open water.

   2. a cluster of piles used as a fender, as at the entrance to a dock.

   3. a pudding fender at the nose of a tugboat or on the side of a vessel.

4. Astronomy.  Dolphin, the constellation Delphinus.

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dolphin British  

/ ˈdɒlfɪn /

noun

1. any of various marine cetacean mammals of the family Delphinidae , esp Delphinus delphis, that are typically smaller than whales and larger than porpoises and have a beaklike snout

2. any freshwater cetacean of the family Platanistidae, inhabiting rivers of North and South America and S Asia. They are smaller than marine dolphins and have a longer narrower snout

3. Also called: dorado.  either of two large marine percoid fishes, Coryphaena hippurus or C. equisetis, that resemble the cetacean dolphins and have an iridescent coloration

4. nautical a post or buoy for mooring a vessel

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Etymology

Origin of dolphin

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English dolphyn, from Old French daulphin, from Old Provençal dalfin, from unattested Vulgar Latin dalfīnus, Latin delphīnus, from Greek delphī́n

Example Sentences

As a cognitive psychologist and marine mammal scientist, I’ve spent much of my life observing and studying the behavior, cognitive abilities and communication of dolphins and whales.

From Scientific American

He has a big flaring dolphin fin of a nose; small, deep-set eyes that sit in little pools of shade; a warm, gaptoothed smile.

From New York Times

It was clear that Oda was an ichthyosaur, but no one could say if it was a known species of the marine reptiles, which were like a mash-up of a crocodile and a dolphin.

From New York Times

Best known for their work trying to conserve Asiatic cheetahs, she says they also worked with Persian leopards, dolphins and turtles in Qeshm Island, Asiatic bears, as well as migratory birds.

From BBC

The endangered Irrawaddy River dolphin—an aquatic mammal—is among the species that have declined as a result.

From Science Magazine