Definition of dolphin
1a : any of various small marine toothed whales (family Delphinidae) with the snout more or less elongated into a beak and the neck vertebrae partially fused ◆While not closely related, dolphins and porpoises share a physical resemblance that often leads to misidentification. Dolphins typically have cone-shaped teeth, curved dorsal fins, and elongated beaks with large mouths, while porpoises have flat, spade-shaped teeth, triangular dorsal fins, and shortened beaks with smaller mouths. b : any of several related chiefly freshwater toothed whales (as of the family Platanistidae)
2 : dolphinfish
3 capitalized : delphinus
4 : a spar or buoy for mooring boats; also : a cluster of closely driven piles used as a fender for a dock or as a mooring or guide for boats
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of dolphin from the Web
-
With a streamlined curvaceous design, inspired by a dolphin and evocative of a Lexus car, it's being promised as a commercial product in the next few years.
-
Located in one of India’s 11 ecologically critical coastline habitats, the area is teeming with life from more than 350 marine species including Indian Ocean dolphins and Oliver Ridley turtles.
-
Located in one of India’s 11 ecologically critical coastline habitats, the area is teeming with life from more than 350 marine species including Indian Ocean dolphins and Oliver Ridley turtles.
-
McCabe is keeper of the Tantu totem (the spirit), which gives her the powers of animals like an elephant, falcon, dolphin, spider, etc.
-
Special Agent Marks: The dolphin was there for a counterterrorism measure.
-
Calm seas allowed offshore anglers to easily run offshore over the holiday weekend to catch dolphin.
-
While wolves, lions, dolphins and several other species of animals coordinate and hunt in sophisticated ways, such behavior has never been seen in snakes, Dinets, a zoologist, said.
-
The Dolphins´ offense was so hapless that by the middle of the third period the sellout crowd of 74,259 jeered almost every play.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dolphin'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of dolphin
Origin and Etymology of dolphin
Middle English delphyn, dolphyn, from Anglo-French delphin, alteration of Old French dalfin, from Medieval Latin dalfinus, alteration of Latin delphinus, from Greek delphin-, delphis; akin to Greek delphys womb, Sanskrit garbha
First Known Use: 14th century
DOLPHIN Defined for English Language Learners
dolphin
playDefinition of dolphin for English Language Learners
-
: a small usually gray whale that has a pointed nose
DOLPHIN Defined for Kids
dolphin
playDefinition of dolphin for Students
1 : a small whale with teeth and a long nose
2 : either of two large fish usually of warm seas that are often used for food
Learn More about dolphin
-
Spanish Central: Translation of dolphin Nglish: Translation of dolphin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dolphin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dolphin
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up dolphin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!