bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōz- 

variants or less commonly bottle-nosed dolphin

ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōzd- 

or bottlenose

: a relatively small chiefly gray toothed whale (Tursiops truncatus) of temperate to tropical waters that has a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin, reaches a length of 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters), and is typically found in groups

also : a related whale (T. aduncus) of waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Examples of bottlenose dolphin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists studied 20 common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) that were stranded in the IRL, using Triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (QqQ or TQMS). —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025

The resarcher's study, which involved 20 common bottlenose dolphins stranded in the Indian River Lagoon in eastern Florida during the summer cyanobacterial bloom season, identfied markers of Alzheimer's disease. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

These temperate, food-rich waters are a buffet for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, drawing them in to chase down mullet, menhaden, and other small fish. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025

Passengers aboard a Newport Coastal Adventure charter got the thrill when more than 100 bottlenose dolphins were filmed on Wednesday, Aug. 27, racing alongside their boat. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin

ˌbät-ᵊl-ˌnōz-

: a medium-sized stout-bodied whale with teeth and a short snout