humpback
Americannoun
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another word for hunchback
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Also called: humpback whale. a large whalebone whale, Megaptera novaeangliae, closely related and similar to the rorquals but with a humped back and long flippers: family Balaenopteridae
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a Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, the male of which has a humped back and hooked jaws
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Also called: humpback bridge. a road bridge having a sharp incline and decline and usually a narrow roadway
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of humpback
First recorded in 1690–1700; apparently back formation from humpbacked
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:
Biologists are hoping to save a humpback whale last seen entangled in a fishing net off the coast of San Pedro.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
A wildlife cinematographer and shark guide has spoken about the unexpected surprise and joy of seeing a humpback whale in the Celtic Deep just off the Welsh coast.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
A rare observation of a humpback whale mother remaining beside her dead calf is offering researchers a closer look at how these animals may respond to loss.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
Eager cruise passengers zipping around New York's southern shores rush to the starboard bow: a humpback whale is up for air, a breathtaking sighting set against Manhattan's iconic skyline.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Then the humpback bounded forward, and as the ship reached the cliff face, he jumped up and suddenly there was a rope in his hand.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
Little is known about fin whale migration but their movements are believed to be quite different from other baleen whales such as blues and humpbacks.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
Similar observations remain far less common in published research involving baleen whales such as humpbacks.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026
In 2007, seven humpbacks were seen, and by 2024, there were 150 ship-based sightings of these giant whales.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
He generally sees humpbacks but sometimes other species including the still critically endangered North Atlantic Right whale.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
“Those are the humpbacks after herring. They’re following their instincts. Every spring they migrate up from calving grounds in Hawaii.”
From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen
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