minke whale

noun

min·​ke whale ˈmiŋ-kə- 

variants or less commonly minke

: a small gray to black baleen whale (genus Balaenoptera) with a whitish underside and a relatively narrow, pointed snout:

a

: one (B. acutorostrata) chiefly of the northern hemisphere

called also common minke whale, northern minke whale

b

: one (B. bonaerensis) of the southern hemisphere that was formerly classified in the same species as the northern form

called also Antarctic minke, southern minke whale

see rorqual

Illustration of minke whale

Examples of minke whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So rare, in fact, that Talty said this is only the sixth time researchers have seen orcas hunt a minke whale in Monterey Bay since 1991. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

From a stable population of more than 100,000 minke whales in the North Atlantic, the hunters of Tasiilaq typically take about a dozen. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

From a stable population of over 100,000 minke whales in the North Atlantic the hunters of Tasiilaq typically take less than a dozen. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024

Within minutes, a minke whale’s sleek back rose just above the surface of the water. —Jennifer Billock, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2023

For the minke whale, the increase in deaths is likely due to biological processes from infectious diseases, DiGiovanni said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2023

Local guides, such as Paul Hudd of JP Orkney, have the low down on the best places to see minke whales, basking sharks, orcas, and dolphins, as well as arranging personal island tours with Malcolm Macrae, the 12th Laird of Breckness. —Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2023

Nordic balconies, as Viking calls them, ensure everyone can hear the blow of minke whale spouts right from bed—just hit a button and the top half of floor-to-ceiling windows recedes, allowing guests to feel the fresh air from the comfort of their couch. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Mar. 2022

During the summer, Reykjavík sees higher numbers of minke whales and dolphins, while orcas congregate in West Iceland along the Snaefellsnes peninsula during the first half of the year. —Brandon Presser, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Norwegian minkehval, from minke- (perhaps from Meincke, a crewman of Svend Foyn †1894 Norwegian whaler) + hval whale

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above