beluga

noun

be·​lu·​ga bə-ˈlü-gə 

1

: a large white sturgeon (Huso huso synonym Acipenser huso) of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries

also : caviar processed from beluga roe compare osetra, sevruga

2

[Russian belukha, from belyĭ] : a toothed whale (Delphinapterus leucas) of arctic and subarctic waters having a fusiform body that is about 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when mature

called also white whale

Illustration of beluga

• beluga 2

Examples of beluga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Arctic foxes and wolves stalk lemmings and reindeer; herds of shaggy musk oxen roam the hills; gray whales and belugas shimmer offshore. —Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024

Loss of sea ice putting migrating beluga whales in danger The communities are also collaborating with African Parks to learn how to implement conservation measures that reduce threats to wildlife and help preserve various species. —Jalynn Hilton, ABC News, 25 June 2024

In the beluga, however, the melon also seems to have another use. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 2 May 2024

The findings are not exclusive to the beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium, as the same five head shapes have also been documented among belugas in Canada. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from belyĭ white; akin to Greek phalios having a white spot — more at bald

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

beluga

noun

be·​lu·​ga bə-ˈlü-gə 

: a toothed whale that becomes 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when adult

called also beluga whale

Etymology

from earlier beluga "a white sturgeon," from Russian beluga (same meaning), from belyǐ "white"