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Definition of right whale
right whale
Plural:right whales
• noun
1
Any of three species of large baleen whales belonging to the genus Eubalaena, characterized by a rotund body, the absence of a dorsal fin, a strongly bowed lower jaw, and rough patches of skin called callosities on the head.
Example
"The North Atlantic right whale is currently one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world due to historical overhunting and modern vessel strikes."
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Right whale. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/right%20whale