humpback whale

American  

[huhmp-bak hweyl, weyl] / ˈhʌmpˌbæk ˌʰweɪl, ˌweɪl /

noun

humpback whales plural

1. a large baleen whale of the genus Megaptera having long narrow flippers, and noted for its habit of arching deeply as it dives: an endangered species.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• humpback whales
  plural

Etymology

Origin of humpback whale

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

Researchers said the work also leant further credence to a theory about humpback whale patterns known as the "Southern Ocean Exchange".

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

The documented distance between sightings was 15,100 kilometers, setting a new record for the longest known movement of an individual humpback whale.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

Danish environment officials are planning to remove the carcass of a humpback whale from the island of Anholt, as concerns are raised of a potential health risk.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

The pictures represent the longest-distance ever seen between two pictures of the same humpback whale, researchers said.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

It was at least ten times as long as a humpback whale.

From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis