baleen whale
noun
: any of a suborder (Mysticeti) of usually large whales typically of colder waters that lack teeth but have baleen plates in the upper jaw which are used to filter chiefly small crustaceans (such as krill) out of large quantities of seawater see fin whale, gray whale, humpback whale, right whale, rorqual compare toothed whale
Examples of baleen whale in a Sentence
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Scientists at Museums Victoria’s Research Institute say the discovery offers a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of baleen whale evolution, showing the family’s roots in active, sharp-toothed predators.
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
How the study was conducted The study reviewed 199 separate exchanges between 19 different species of dolphins and baleen whales captured in videos and photos.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Of the whale deaths, 21 were gray whales, two were unidentified baleen whales, and one was a minke whale.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Minke whales are the smallest baleen whale in North American waters and can reach lengths of up to 35 feet and weigh 20,000 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
How the study was conducted The study reviewed 199 separate exchanges between 19 different species of dolphins and baleen whales captured in videos and photos.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Of the whale deaths, 21 were gray whales, two were unidentified baleen whales, and one was a minke whale.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
Minke whales are the smallest baleen whale in North American waters and can reach lengths of up to 35 feet and weigh 20,000 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for baleen whale
Cite this Entry
“Baleen whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baleen%20whale. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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