fin whale

noun

: a baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus) that may attain a length of over 70 feet (21 meters) and is found chiefly in subtropical to arctic and antarctic waters worldwide

called also finback

Illustration of fin whale

Illustration of fin whale

Examples of fin whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Gray, blue, humpback, sperm and fin whales take over, and those eager to see them book tours in fast-moving zodiac boats and catamarans. — Catherine Garcia, theweek, 25 Nov. 2024 The auction, held at the Sapporo fish market and Shimonoseki port, featured 1.4 tons of fin whale meat caught off Hokkaido. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Other fin whales have washed ashore along the Western U.S. this year. — CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024 Japan's Fisheries Agency added fin whales to the list of species that can be hunted legally, citing population recovery in the North Pacific. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fin whale

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fin whale was in 1885

Rhymes for fin whale

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Browse Nearby Words

fin whale
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Cite this Entry

“Fin whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fin%20whale. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

fin whale

noun
: a baleen whale that may reach a length of over 70 feet (21 meters)

More from Merriam-Webster on fin whale

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fin whale

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