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

The disease is highly contagious and spreads easily among dolphins, whales, and porpoises causing severe disease and mass deaths.

From BBC

River dolphins live entirely in freshwater even though their ancestors were marine.

From Science Daily

It has also been observed in certain animals, including chimpanzees, dolphins, and magpies.

From Science Daily

The area was once a shallow sea inhabited by sharks, barracuda-like fish, prehistoric dolphins, and sea turtles.

From Science Daily

High-frequency noises deter shad, but might be harmful to dolphins, which communicate using high frequencies.

From The Wall Street Journal