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
Unlike many other whales, such as orcas and blue whales, belugas have no dorsal fin.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Anglerfish earned the name for their unique evolutionary hunting adaptation—a front dorsal fin known as an illicium that functions as a lure.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
Unlike the common carp, which has a long spiny dorsal fin and a whiskerlike barbel near its mouth, the white amur has a short dorsal fin with no spines.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
White sharks have a pointed dorsal fin, while basking sharks have a rounded fin.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 May 2024
The two species can be distinguished in several ways, including the number of thinner, more flexible dorsal fins (soft rays) on the fish's back.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The scientists identified individual pod members through distinctive dorsal fins, scars, and other markings.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
The authors were able to identify the orcas involved by looking at distinctive features such as dorsal fins or scars on the animals’ bodies.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Some of them have dorsal fins and rows of razor-sharp teeth.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
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Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Anglerfish earned the name for their unique evolutionary hunting adaptation—a front dorsal fin known as an illicium that functions as a lure.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
Unlike the common carp, which has a long spiny dorsal fin and a whiskerlike barbel near its mouth, the white amur has a short dorsal fin with no spines.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 30 Nov. 2024
White sharks have a pointed dorsal fin, while basking sharks have a rounded fin.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 28 May 2024
The two species can be distinguished in several ways, including the number of thinner, more flexible dorsal fins (soft rays) on the fish's back.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
The scientists identified individual pod members through distinctive dorsal fins, scars, and other markings.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
The authors were able to identify the orcas involved by looking at distinctive features such as dorsal fins or scars on the animals’ bodies.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
Some of them have dorsal fins and rows of razor-sharp teeth.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Dorsal fin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dorsal%20fin. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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