-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Examples of humpback whale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1726, in the meaning defined above
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
More from Merriam-Webster on humpback whale
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about humpback whale
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share