bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōz- 

variants or less commonly bottle-nosed dolphin

ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōzd- 

or bottlenose

: a relatively small chiefly gray toothed whale (Tursiops truncatus) of temperate to tropical waters that has a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin, reaches a length of 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters), and is typically found in groups

also : a related whale (T. aduncus) of waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Examples of bottlenose dolphin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dolphins Use Pufferfish To Get High Certain species of dolphins, such as bottlenose dolphins, have been observed handling pufferfish with surprising care, likely to induce the release of small amounts of the fish’s toxins, which appear to have a narcotic effect on the dolphins. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024

Top 5 Can’t Miss Shell Island, only accessible by boat, offers ample opportunities for bottlenose dolphin sightings. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2024

The researchers captured 80 hours of video footage of 22 bottlenose dolphins living at two wildlife parks: Zoomarine Rome in Italy and Planète Sauvage in France. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin

ˌbät-ᵊl-ˌnōz-

: a medium-sized stout-bodied whale with teeth and a short snout