fin whale

noun

: a baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus) that may attain a length of over 70 feet (21 meters) and is found chiefly in subtropical to arctic and antarctic waters worldwide

called also finback

Illustration of fin whale

Illustration of fin whale

Examples of fin 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.
In spring, the gray whales head north again, fin whales become more abundant, and orcas populate Northern California waters. — Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026 Like all large whales, the NOAA said fin whales were hunted by commercial whalers and their populations were decimated. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 June 2026 With cameras flashing, these lucky cruise ship tourists witnessed upwards of 1,000 fin whales spouting—the largest gathering of baleen whales seen in decades, since industrial whaling ended. — Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 25 Feb. 2026 And like many other large endangered whales, fin whale populations have been heavily impacted by commercial whaling in the mid-1900s. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fin whale

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fin whale was in 1885

Rhymes for fin whale

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Browse Nearby Words

fintech
fin whale
FIO
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

fin whale

noun
: a baleen whale that may reach a length of over 70 feet (21 meters)

More from Merriam-Webster on fin whale

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fin whale

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