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Synonyms

finback

American  
[fin-bak] / ˈfɪnˌbæk /

noun

  1. any baleen whale of the genus Balaenoptera, having a prominent dorsal fin, especially B. physalus, of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts; rorqual: an endangered species.


finback British  
/ ˈfɪnˌbæk /

noun

  1. another name for rorqual

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of finback

First recorded in 1715–25; fin 1 + back 1

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.

See Examples For:

Climb 41 steps to the lamp room, which has used a LED lantern since 2014 — and you may spot humpback, right and minke as well as finback whales circling in the deep waters below.

From New York Times Sep. 27, 2019

And the bodies of 28 humpback and 17 finback whales washed up on beaches in Alaska and British Columbia in Canada.

From Science Magazine Jan. 31, 2019

The pair have chased a finback whale from Campobello to Brier Island in the middle of the night.

From The Guardian Jun. 20, 2018

If the finback swallowed Jonah, its throat should be big enough to fit him.

From Salon Jun. 12, 2012

Now, a finback is built more for speed an' has a big fin on the back—that's where it gets its name.

From The Boy With the U. S. Fisheries by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis

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