whalebone

noun

whale·​bone ˈ(h)wāl-ˌbōn How to pronounce whalebone (audio)
1
: baleen
2
: an article made of whalebone

Examples of whalebone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The goal was to snag as many whales as possible, in pursuit of their highly valuable whale oil (extracted from blubber), sperm oil, and whalebone. Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 8 July 2024 As waves erode the coastline, Guðmundsdóttir said, ancient whalebones dislodge from the sediment like loose teeth, offering a new trove of research materials; Guðmundsdóttir had found whalebones left by residents at least as far back as the 12th century. Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 Since Icelanders usually processed whales on the shoreline, most whalebones were lost to the ocean, so their use is likely underrepresented in the archaeological record. Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 When Szabo and collaborators applied DNA and spectroscopy techniques to whalebones in Iceland, the outcome was no different. Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for whalebone 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of whalebone was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near whalebone

Cite this Entry

“Whalebone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whalebone. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

whalebone

noun
whale·​bone -ˌbōn How to pronounce whalebone (audio)
: baleen

More from Merriam-Webster on whalebone

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