pilot whale

American  

noun

1. a small, common whale, Globicephala sieboldii, of tropical and temperate seas, having a bulbous head.

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pilot whale British  

noun

1. Also called: black whale.   blackfish.  any of several black toothed whales of the genus Globicephala, such as G. melaena, that occur in all seas except polar seas: family Delphinidae

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Etymology

Origin of pilot whale

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Scientists have observed orcas mismothering before—an orca took in a baby pilot whale in 2021, for instance—but in these prior cases, the animal usually survives.

From National Geographic • Oct. 30, 2023

For the first time, a team of whale experts have recorded an orca caring for the offspring of another species, a long-finned pilot whale infant.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2023

Mr Kitchener added that the discovery means it can no longer be assumed that every stranded pilot whale in Britain is a long-finned pilot whale.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2023

A pilot whale — technically a kind of dolphin — may be up to 20 feet long and weigh as much as two tons.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Figure 102.—The flippers of short-finned pilot whales reach only about one-sixth of the body length, while those of the Atlantic pilot whale may be one-fifth the body length or more.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David