humpback

noun

hump·​back ˈhəmp-ˌbak 

for sense 1 also

-ˈbak 

plural humpbacks

1

: a humped or crooked back

also : kyphosis

2

dated, offensive : a person with a humpback

3

: humpback whale

4

: pink salmon

Examples of humpback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gray whales migrate through the area between December and April every year, while humpbacks visit from spring through fall, and blue whales make their appearance from June through October. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

Both food and mating motivate humpback journeys in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 June 2026

But supporters say that without cool releases, the warm waters projected downstream this summer would allow non-native predatory fish to spawn, further threatening the humpback chub, and would destroy a world-famous trout fishery nearby. — Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 27 May 2026

While grey whales are also at risk, humpbacks are most vulnerable. — ABC News, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for humpback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

humpback

noun

hump·​back ˈhəmp-ˌbak 

1

: a humped or crooked back

2

: hunchback sense 1

3

: humpback whale

humpbacked

-ˈbakt

adjective

Medical Definition

humpback

noun

hump·​back

-ˌbak, for 1 also -ˈbak

: a humped or crooked back

also : kyphosis

humpbacked

-ˈbakt 

adjective