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
Northern right whale dolphins are the only dolphin to not have a dorsal fin and usually travel in packs of 100 to 200, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
Yamamoto thinks they were originally dorsal fin motor neurons that became more specialized.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
In contrast, all of a filefish’s dorsal fin motor neurons are located solely in its ventrolateral zone.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
This appendage is known as the illicium and thought to have once been a dorsal fin.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Within thirty seconds, a dorsal fin emerged, rolling elegantly through the water’s surface like only a bottlenose dolphin can do.
—Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
Motor neurons for the first dorsal fin of filefish were found in the same location as motor neurons for the second, third and fourth dorsal fins in frogfish.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Orcas have been spotted draping strands of kelp over their dorsal fins or tails, seemingly just for fun.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Marine biologists have long wondered about the identity and exact location of the neurons that control the dorsal fin’s critical motor function.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
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Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
Yamamoto thinks they were originally dorsal fin motor neurons that became more specialized.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
In contrast, all of a filefish’s dorsal fin motor neurons are located solely in its ventrolateral zone.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
This appendage is known as the illicium and thought to have once been a dorsal fin.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Within thirty seconds, a dorsal fin emerged, rolling elegantly through the water’s surface like only a bottlenose dolphin can do.
—Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
Motor neurons for the first dorsal fin of filefish were found in the same location as motor neurons for the second, third and fourth dorsal fins in frogfish.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Orcas have been spotted draping strands of kelp over their dorsal fins or tails, seemingly just for fun.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Marine biologists have long wondered about the identity and exact location of the neurons that control the dorsal fin’s critical motor function.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to dorsal fin
Cite this Entry
“Dorsal fin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dorsal%20fin. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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