Baird's beaked whale

noun

ˈberdz-
: a beaked whale (Berardius bairdii) of cold, usually deep waters of the northern hemisphere that may reach a length of 35 to 40 feet (10.5 to 12 meters), has four teeth in the lower jaw, and is closely related to Arnoux's beaked whale

called also giant bottlenose whale, northern four-toothed whale

Word History

Etymology

after Spencer F. Baird †1887 American zoologist

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Baird's beaked whale was in 1961

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Baird's beaked whale

Cite this Entry

“Baird's beaked whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Baird%27s%20beaked%20whale. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!