California gray whale

noun

: gray whale
Something about the species has enabled the California gray whale, as the eastern Pacific animal is misleadingly called, to come back from the brink—even though many other whales aren't recovering.Ted Williams, Audubon, November/December 1998

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California gray whale was in 1869

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Dictionary Entries Near California gray whale

Cite this Entry

“California gray whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20gray%20whale. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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