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blue whale
noun
: a very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera musculus synonym Sibbaldus musculus) that may reach a weight of 150 tons (136 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal
Examples of blue whale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This island nation of 22 million is a place where leopards slip like a whisper through the undergrowth, blue whales breach offshore, tea estates paint the hill region a lush green, and ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples whisper stories of centuries past.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025
Offshore, gray whales breach in winter and blue whales glide through in summer, turning the sea into a stage for nature’s greatest performances.
—Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
Ants, for instance, have an average lifespan of a year or two while blue whales can live up to 100 years under optimal conditions.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
The second-largest whale species after blue whales, fin whales are classified as endangered species, according to NOAA.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1851, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near blue whale
Cite this Entry
“Blue whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20whale. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
blue whale
noun
: a whale that may reach a weight of 150 tons (135 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal
More from Merriam-Webster on blue whale
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blue whale
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