bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōz- 

variants or less commonly bottle-nosed dolphin

ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōzd- 

or bottlenose

: a relatively small chiefly gray toothed whale (Tursiops truncatus) of temperate to tropical waters that has a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin, reaches a length of 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters), and is typically found in groups

also : a related whale (T. aduncus) of waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Examples of bottlenose dolphin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other creatures that have passed the mirror test include bottlenose dolphins, chimpanzees and Asian elephants. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2024

Sleek gangs of bottlenose dolphins flash through the waves. —Bywarren Cornwall, science.org, 29 Aug. 2024

Since 2022, the USDA has found H5N1 in over 200 mammals, from big cats in zoos to harbor seals, mountain lions, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, polar bears, black bears, foxes, and bottlenose dolphins. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 29 Apr. 2024

Panama City Beach is home to the world's largest population of bottlenose dolphins, a shipwreck trail for scuba divers, and, of course, beautiful beaches. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin

ˌbät-ᵊl-ˌnōz-

: a medium-sized stout-bodied whale with teeth and a short snout