dorsal fin
noun
plural dorsal fins
: a flat thin body part that projects from the back of many fish (such as trout, barracuda, and sharks) and some marine mammals (such as dolphins)
Porpoises have a more triangular dorsal fin while a dolphin's dorsal fin is more curved.—
Naomi Corrigan and Dave Himelfield
Naomi Corrigan and Dave HimelfieldThis member of the perch family has two dorsal fins and a large mouth outfitted with sharp teeth …—Matt Markey
Matt MarkeyExamples of dorsal fin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Video shows there was damage to the shark's skin, paint marks and a red scrape behind her dorsal fin.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
The footage also shows the aftermath of the encounter, including a large scratch drawn across the shark’s back near its dorsal fin, and some of the blue anti-fouling paint — a type of coating used on the bottom of boats to prevent barnacle buildup — that marred the animal’s speckled skin.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 July 2024
Both swim near the surface with their dorsal fin visible, but the shape and texture of those fins differ.
—Maura Losch, Axios, 11 July 2024
The state’s population estimates have been calculated through the standard method of catching fish, attaching dime-size metal tags at the base of their dorsal fin, and releasing them.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The most prized are the first dorsal fin — the largest one, located on the back of the animal — the pectoral fins on the sides of the trunk, and the one at the lower end of the tail.
—Angela Posada-Swafford, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024
Scientists can tell the sharks apart by noting the contours of the dorsal fins on their backs.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
The aquarium described sand tigers as being grayish brown in appearance with two dorsal fins of equal size.
—Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024
Lightly hooked through the lips or underneath the dorsal fin, minnows work exceptionally well under a bobber, too.
—M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 20 June 2024
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 26 July 2024
The footage also shows the aftermath of the encounter, including a large scratch drawn across the shark’s back near its dorsal fin, and some of the blue anti-fouling paint — a type of coating used on the bottom of boats to prevent barnacle buildup — that marred the animal’s speckled skin.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 July 2024
Both swim near the surface with their dorsal fin visible, but the shape and texture of those fins differ.
—Maura Losch, Axios, 11 July 2024
The state’s population estimates have been calculated through the standard method of catching fish, attaching dime-size metal tags at the base of their dorsal fin, and releasing them.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The most prized are the first dorsal fin — the largest one, located on the back of the animal — the pectoral fins on the sides of the trunk, and the one at the lower end of the tail.
—Angela Posada-Swafford, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024
Scientists can tell the sharks apart by noting the contours of the dorsal fins on their backs.
—Tyrone Beason, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
The aquarium described sand tigers as being grayish brown in appearance with two dorsal fins of equal size.
—Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024
Lightly hooked through the lips or underneath the dorsal fin, minnows work exceptionally well under a bobber, too.
—M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 20 June 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dorsal fin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dorsal fin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dorsal%20fin. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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