Search Dictionary
Definition of fin whale
fin whale
Plural:fin whales
fin whale Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, slender baleen whale (Balaenoptera physalus) found in all major oceans, recognized as the second-largest mammal species on Earth after the blue whale, characterized by a prominent dorsal fin and asymmetrical coloration on its lower jaw.
Example
"During the marine biology expedition in the North Atlantic, the researchers tracked a fast-swimming fin whale by listening to its low-frequency vocalizations."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for fin whaleWord Origin & Etymology
The name 'fin whale' directly references the prominent dorsal fin on its back, which is more conspicuous than in many other large baleen whales.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fin whale. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fin whale