right whale

noun

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

right whale

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of right whale¹

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of right whale¹

C19: perhaps so named because it was right for hunting

Example Sentences

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Historically there were about 20,000 North Atlantic right whales off the Eastern Seaboard.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The technology was developed initially for fisheries in the US and Canada where endangered North Atlantic right whales have died in entanglements.

Read more on BBC

Southern right whales have lifespans that reach well past 100 years, and 10% may live past 130 years, according to our new research published in the journal Science Advances.

Read more on Salon

An 1889 whaling travelogue recounts the sounds made by right whales and humpbacks note by note.

Read more on Salon