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tail fin

American  

noun

  1. caudal fin.

  2. Automotive. fin17


Etymology

Origin of tail fin

First recorded in 1675–85

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.

Taking inspiration from the power of a whale's fins, the team studied the structure and movement of the tail fin to unravel how it effectively uses wave energy for propulsion.

From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2023

The female specimen is roughly 14 inches, measuring from mouth to tail fin, according to Michelle Horeczko, a senior environmental scientist supervisor with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2023

To get the refund, customers are asked to cut off or bend the tail fin, write “recalled” on the body of the baby shark and upload a photo on a site dedicated to the recall.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2023

It is an Airbus A321, with a union flag on the tail fin, and "United Kingdom" written down the side.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2023

She had asked plenty of questions when the scope of her work had extended only from the nose cone of a tiny Cessna 405 to its tail fin.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly