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

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

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are also common, so don’t forget to look out at the water. —Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025

The team also compared the tunes of 26 individual seals to other vocal species including humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins and squirrel monkeys, as well as different styles of music – baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary and Beatles songs. —New Atlas, 1 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