humpback whale

noun

: a large baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that is black above and white below and has very long flippers, and fleshy tubercles along the snout

Illustration of humpback whale

Illustration of humpback whale

Examples of humpback whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This is when humpback whales make the long journey from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to give birth in the state's warm coastal waters. Sarah Reid, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2024 The typical migration route for humpback whales can approach 5,000 miles in a single direction, making this one’s journey close to two times that of most whales. Aj Willingham, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 Researchers have previously identified humpback whales that have swum astray of typical migration patterns. Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Discoveries Explore these fascinating new findings: — A male humpback whale embarked on a record-breaking migration spanning 8,106 miles (13,046 kilometers) between the Pacific and Indian oceans, offering unique insight into the complex behaviors of these marine giants. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for humpback whale 

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of humpback whale was in 1726

Dictionary Entries Near humpback whale

Cite this Entry

“Humpback whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humpback%20whale. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

humpback whale

noun
: a large baleen whale that is black above and white below and has very long flippers

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