right whale

American  

noun

1. any of several large whalebone whales of the genus Balaena, of circumpolar seas: the species B. glacialis is greatly reduced in numbers.

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right whale British  

noun

1. any large whalebone whale of the family Balaenidae. They are grey or black, have a large head, and, in most, no dorsal fin, and are hunted as a source of whalebone and oil See also bowhead

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Etymology

Origin of right whale

First recorded in 1715–25; allegedly so called because it was the “right” whale to hunt, alluding to its relative buoyancy when killed, proximity to land, the value of its blubber, etc.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right whale

Other whale species include North Pacific gray whales, the North Atlantic right whale, minke, sperm, fin and bowhead whales.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2025

On the east coast, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale is especially threatened by ship strikes.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 17, 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was notified of a dead right whale floating off Savannah, Georgia, on Feb. 13.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 17, 2024

A rare North Atlantic right whale was found dead this week off the coast of Georgia, the second fatality in recent weeks involving the critically endangered species, the federal agency that monitors the oceans said.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

Sea-nettles, or medusae, are well known to constitute the principal food of that species of whale which is termed the right whale.

From The Ocean and its Wonders by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne