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

Hundreds of blue whales migrate through the depths of the Sea of Cortez from February to March, though they’re rarely spotted by humans. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026

The call of a blue whale can be heard about 1,000 miles from its source. —Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2026

Gray whales migrate from late fall to early spring, and humpback and blue whales migrate from late spring to early fall. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026

Gray whales migrate through the area between December and April every year, while humpbacks visit in the spring and fall, and blue whales make their appearance from June through October. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

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