baleen
Americannoun
noun
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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.
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Also called whalebone
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
Vocabulary lists containing baleen
Marine Biology - Introductory
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Marine Biology - Middle School
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Marine Biology - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 are a group of 14 species, including the blue, humpback, right, minke and gray whale.
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 are mammals and Hupehsuchus are reptiles. Their affinity is so distant. And they appeared more than 200 million years apart," Cheng said.
From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2023
Baleen whales like to frequent the southernmost and northernmost seas.
From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
