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
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.
Make time for boat trips to spot humpback whales and grizzly bears with Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours during the summer months. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2026 This cause humpback whales to display the humps on their dorsal fins. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Experts say humpback whales found in waters off New York can grow between 40 and 50 feet long and weigh as much as 40 tons. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Officials said a second humpback whale had also been on a sandbar but was able to free itself. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for humpback whale

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Browse Nearby Words

humpback sucker
humpback whale
hump day
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Cite this Entry

“Humpback whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humpback%20whale. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

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