gray whale

American  

[grey hweyl, weyl] / ˈgreɪ ˈʰweɪl, ˈweɪl /

noun

1. a grayish-black baleen whale, Eschrichtius robustus, of the North Pacific, growing to a length of 50 feet (15.2 meters): an endangered species.

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Etymology

Origin of gray whale

First recorded in 1830–35

Example Sentences

“A gray whale. It’s the beginning of their migration season. I think there are two of them. A mother and a calf, if I had to guess. See the smaller one, in front?”

From Literature

Their prey included larger species such as California sea lions, northern elephant seals, gray whale calves and Pacific white-sided dolphins, and they typically hunted in groups averaging nine individuals.

From Science Daily

A minke whale in Long Beach Harbor and a gray whale stranded on Huntington City Beach also succumbed to the outbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

A minke whale in Long Beach Harbor and a gray whale that stranded in Huntington Beach also succumbed to the outbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

A 40-ton gray whale surfaced beside me — spy-hopping, they call it — her towering grace lifting from the water, close enough that I could see the walnut shine of her left eye.

From Los Angeles Times