blue whale

noun

: a very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera musculus synonym Sibbaldus musculus) that may reach a weight of 150 tons (136 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal

Illustration of blue whale

Examples of blue whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An Antarctic blue whale, for example, is a sentient being with its own thoughts and emotions. —Madison Dapcevich, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025

The little blue whale is part of the project’s recent Regeneration program, an art effort highlighting recycling, conservation and prevention, and involving students from 10 middle schools in Connecticut. —Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025

Early summer is also particularly good for spotting blue whales and sperm whales, which are emblematic of the Azores. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

As populations of this food source recovered from the marine heat wave, detections of blue whale singing soared. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blue whale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

blue whale

noun

: a whale that may reach a weight of 150 tons (135 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal