cetacean

noun

ce·​ta·​cean si-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce cetacean (audio)
: any of an order (Cetacea) of aquatic mostly marine mammals that includes the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and related forms and that have a torpedo-shaped nearly hairless body, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, one or two nares opening externally at the top of the head, and a horizontally flattened tail used for locomotion
cetacean adjective
cetaceous adjective

Examples of cetacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What originally appeared to be attacks, now seem more likely to be a bunch of bored teenage orcas looking for something to do, said cetacean expert Alexandre Zerbini. Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 9 June 2024 The Nonhuman Rights Project has since begun expanding its litigation to embrace other species of great apes, elephants, and cetaceans and is working with legal and political groups in Australia, Europe, and South America. Steven M. Wise, Foreign Affairs, 11 July 2016 That meant less competition for landing sites and a staggering number of whale sightings as the cetaceans were at their most curious ahead of their migrations north. Sebastian Modak, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2023 The smallest cetaceans in the world had wide, black rings around their eyes and mouths, as if heavily drawn with lipstick. Erik Vance, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2017 See all Example Sentences for cetacean 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cetacean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin cetus whale, from Greek kētos

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cetacean was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near cetacean

Cite this Entry

“Cetacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cetacean. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

cetacean

noun
ce·​ta·​cean si-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce cetacean (audio)
: any of an order of aquatic mammals (as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise)
cetacean adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on cetacean

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