humpback whale

noun

: a large baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that is black above and white below and has very long flippers, and fleshy tubercles along the snout

Illustration of humpback whale

Examples of humpback whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But new observations that appear to show humpback whales producing bubble rings during friendly encounters with humans contributes to a broader goal of studying non-human intelligence, the scientists said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 June 2025

The results, by and large, illustrate how humpback whales produce bubble rings as an inquisitive behavior while approaching boats. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2025

Over the course of two days, groups got the chance to see 21 humpback whales feed and raise their pectoral fin before slapping it against the water, along with 15 Risso’s dolphins, the group said. —Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025

Once near extinction, humpback whales have rebounded thanks to conservation programs. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 22 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for humpback whale

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

humpback whale

noun

: a large baleen whale that is black above and white below and has very long flippers