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.
Sharing the bill was David Rothenberg, a professor and a jazz musician who has improvised with collaborators including leafhoppers and humpback whales. — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The town attracts visitors year-round to encounter sperm whales that can reach nearly 50 ft (15 m) in length, as well as humpback whales, pilot whales, orcas, and porpoises. — New Atlas, 28 Aug. 2026 Nearly an hour after a pod separated a humpback whale calf from its mother, the orcas resurfaced carrying their prey between them. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 And from July to October, the waters also welcome humpback whales who arrive from Antarctica to mate and give birth in the warm waters. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Humpback whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/humpback%20whale. Accessed 5 Sep. 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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