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Definition of walvis bay
walvis bay
walvis bay Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major port city on the coast of Namibia in southwestern Africa, historically significant as an exclave of South Africa and highly valued for its natural deepwater harbor.
Example
"Walvis Bay is a crucial hub for maritime trade and the fishing industry in Namibia."
2
A large bay on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Africa, noted for its abundant plankton, diverse birdlife, and marine mammals.
Example
"Thousands of flamingos and pelicans flock to the nutrient-rich coastal wetlands surrounding Walvis Bay."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Afrikaans 'Walvisbaai' and the original Dutch 'Walvisch Baye', meaning 'Whale Bay', named by early European navigators due to the large number of right whales in its waters.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Walvis bay. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/walvis bay