whalebone

American  

[hweyl-bohn, weyl-] / ˈʰweɪlˌboʊn, ˈweɪl- /

noun

1. baleen.

2. a thin strip of this substance, as for stiffening a corset.

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whalebone British  

/ ˈweɪlˌbəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: baleen.  a horny elastic material forming a series of numerous thin plates that hang from the upper jaw on either side of the palate in the toothless (whalebone) whales and strain plankton from water entering the mouth

2. a thin strip of this substance, used in stiffening corsets, bodices, etc

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Etymology

Origin of whalebone

First recorded in 1600–10; whale ¹ + bone

Example Sentences

The cinched waist—the subtle negative drafts ahead of rear quarters—might as well have had whalebone stays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 25, 2025

Between the sapphires and the whalebone corset she describes, one false breath or move could rip both the gown and her skin apart.

From Slate • May 4, 2023

"I've promised now not to pursue having the other whalebone removed - now they're a matching pair it seems cruel to have the other one removed."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2022

Every day, on board the Pequod, Ishmael looks out for a glimpse of Ahab, with a peg leg made out of whalebone.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 22, 2019

The drill came up first with topsoil and then with gravel and then with white sea sand full of shells and even pieces of whalebone.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck