blue whale

noun

: a very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera musculus synonym Sibbaldus musculus) that may reach a weight of 150 tons (136 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal

Illustration of blue whale

Illustration of blue whale

Examples of blue 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.
The call of a blue whale can be heard about 1,000 miles from its source. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026 Gray whales migrate from late fall to early spring, and humpback and blue whales migrate from late spring to early fall. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026 Gray whales migrate from late fall to early spring, and humpback and blue whales migrate from late spring to early fall. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026 An early season blue whale sighting has ocean watchers hopeful there will be more of the world’s largest animal showing up off the local coast. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blue whale

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue whale was in 1851

Rhymes for blue whale

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Browse Nearby Words

blueweed
blue whale
blue wheat grass
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Cite this Entry

“Blue whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20whale. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

blue whale

noun
: a whale that may reach a weight of 150 tons (135 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal

More from Merriam-Webster on blue whale

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blue whale

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