cetacean

noun

ce·​ta·​cean si-ˈtā-shən 

: 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

si-ˈtā-shəs 

adjective

Examples of cetacean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, the vaquita, a porpoise found only in the Gulf of California, is the world’s smallest and most endangered living cetacean. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Commemorate cetaceans in Oxnard The Channel Islands Harbor will host its 26th Celebration of the Whales Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 3350 S. Harbor Blvd. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

So, why do these intelligent cetaceans continue to become entangled in fishing gear? —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025

Other cetaceans in the region, especially the migratory species, will not seek any encounters. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin cetus whale, from Greek kētos

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cetacean

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• chelation
• citation
• collation
• conflation

Kids Definition

cetacean

noun

ce·​ta·​cean si-ˈtā-shən 

: any of an order of aquatic mammals (as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise)

cetacean adjective