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humpback whale

American

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

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of humpback whale

First recorded in 1715–25

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.

A humpback whale stranded on Germany's Baltic Sea coast since early this week has freed itself and swum into deeper waters, rescuers said Friday.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The study placed humpback whale bones on the deep ocean floor and monitored them for signs of life.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

Adrián had started to think how he might survive inside the humpback whale "like Pinocchio" - then the creature spat him back out.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

Dr Kalashnikova said it was very likely the longest distance a humpback whale had ever been recorded travelling.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2024

The recorded songs of the humpback whale, filled with tensions and resolutions, ambiguities and allusions, incomplete, can be listened to as a part of music, like an isolated section of an orchestra.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023