Whitby

American  

[hwit-bee, wit-] / ˈʰwɪt bi, ˈwɪt- /

noun

1. a port in SE Ontario, in S Canada, on Lake Ontario.

2. a seaport in E North Yorkshire, in NE England: ruins of an abbey; church council a.d. 664.

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Whitby British  

/ ˈwɪtbɪ /

noun

1. a fishing port and resort in NE England, in E North Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk: an important ecclesiastical centre in Anglo-Saxon times; site of an abbey founded in 656. Pop: 13 594 (2001) See also Synod of Whitby

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Example Sentences

Named after a well-known Whitby whaler and scientist, it was built at the shipyard of Cook, Welton and Gemmell, before being floated down the River Hull.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

According to tradition, Caedmon worked as a laborer at Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

Tradition holds that the poem was composed by Caedmon, a cowherd from Whitby in present day North Yorkshire, after a divine visitation inspired him to sing.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

Here Mina and her friend Lucy Westenra sit among the graves, sketching and talking, later, watching clouds gather for the storm that would bring the Demeter, and Count Dracula, to Whitby.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

“Enough about us,” Mr. Whitby said, leveling his chin.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros