tail fin

noun

1
: the terminal fin of a fish or cetacean
2

Examples of tail fin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sharply angled surfaces, called chines, run from the nose to the air intakes on either side of the lower fuselage; chines then run further back from those intakes to the wings and to twin tail fins, which are slightly canted from the vertical. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2020 One specimen of fish had a freshwater mussel attached to its tail fin. Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025 In 1959, the U.S. car market reached peak tail fin. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025 With streamlined bodies, powerful tail fins, and rows of razor-sharp teeth, they are built for speed and precision. Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tail fin

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tail fin was in 1681

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Cite this Entry

“Tail fin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tail%20fin. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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