dolphin

[dawl-fin, dol-]

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.

dolphin

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolphin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolphin¹

C13: from Old French dauphin, via Latin, from Greek delphin-, delphis

Example Sentences

The coastal birds shared the story with the fish and the dolphins and anyone who would listen.

Read more on Literature

A group of kayakers say they had an "incredible surprise" when a curious dolphin swam beside them as they paddled under the Forth Rail Bridge.

Read more on BBC

Common dolphins, among the most abundant marine mammals on Earth, are living significantly shorter lives in the North Atlantic.

Read more on Science Daily

For many nature enthusiasts, few scenes are as distressing as finding a stranded whale or dolphin lying helpless on the beach.

Read more on Science Daily

The 20-strong crew’s only outside company were pods of dolphins and killer whales, stray icebergs and the northern lights dancing across the night sky.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal