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right whale
noun
: any of several large baleen whales (family Balaenidae and especially genus Eubalaena) that lack a dorsal fin and have very long baleen plates, an extremely large head with a V-shaped blowhole, a smooth throat, short, broad, rounded flippers, and whitish protuberances of thickened skin about the head
Examples of right whale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The findings suggest southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) have a median lifespan of about 73 years.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024
According to a statement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released on Wednesday, Dec. 17, the two North Atlantic right whales were spotted swimming during an aerial survey approximately 50 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass. on Dec. 9.
—Gil MacIas, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The two right whales were spotted swimming entangled by an aerial survey about 50 miles southeast of Nantucket in Massachusetts on Dec. 9, the NOAA said.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 19 Dec. 2024
Two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are entangled in fishing gear about 50 miles southeast of Nantucket, according to NOAA's fisheries division.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1725, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near right whale
Cite this Entry
“Right whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right%20whale. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
right whale
noun
: a large baleen whale with no fin on the back, a very large head, and small eyes near the lower part of the mouth
More from Merriam-Webster on right whale
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about right whale
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