dorsal fin

American  

noun

1. the fin or finlike integumentary expansion generally developed on the back of aquatic vertebrates.

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dorsal fin British  

noun

1. any unpaired median fin on the backs of fishes and some other aquatic vertebrates: maintains balance during locomotion

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Etymology

Origin of dorsal fin

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dorsal fin

The dorsal fin is like a dolphin's fingerprint, as each has distinctive notches, ridges and pigmentation.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2024

What they spotted, a whale without a dorsal fin, led the researchers to think that it might be a North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species that the aquarium has been closely monitoring.

From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2024

And unlike other mosasaurs, or large extinct marine reptiles, it had a dorsal fin like a shark's that would have helped it turn quickly and with precision in the water.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2023

All hail Chainsaw: the big guy with the jagged dorsal fin who, together with his fellow Bigg’s killer whales, has already racked up a record number of sightings of the orcas for 2023.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2023

“The dorsal fin on a basking shark is rounded on top and convex in the back,” she said, making shapes with her hand.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen