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

Illustration of right whale

Illustration of right whale

Examples of right 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.
There are only about 380 right whales left. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 Vessel strikes are one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths for right whales. — Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026 In one case, the skull belonged to a small, now-extinct right whale species called Balaenella brachyrhynus. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 The aquarium says more than 86% of right whales become entangled at least once in their lives. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for right whale

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of right whale was in 1725

Rhymes for right whale

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Browse Nearby Words

rightward
right whale
right whale porpoise
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Cite this Entry

“Right whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/right%20whale. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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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