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

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

According to the wildlife charity Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, orcas, Australian humpback dolphins and sperm whales have all been observed carrying dead calves. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

Inland, Mapuzi’s caves and cliffs beckon hikers—while Hluleka Nature Reserve whispers with forest trails and sightings of bottlenose dolphins dancing through the waves. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Humpback whales were involved in the majority of the encounters, participating in 68% of them, while bottlenose dolphins took part in 51%. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 13 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