tail fin

noun

1
: the terminal fin of a fish or cetacean
2

Examples of tail fin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Named for the distinctive black markings on the tips of their dorsal, pelvic, and tail fins, blacktip sharks primarily eat small fish, squid, and crustaceans, using quick bursts of speed to chase down prey. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 After the special moment, the whale showed off its tail fin before diving back into the water – marking a successful lunch hour, the video showed. Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025 Gabriel — the primary human antagonist of the last two films — dies when his head meets the wrong end of a plane tail fin, splitting open like a coconut. EW.com, 23 May 2025 One specimen of fish had a freshwater mussel attached to its tail fin. Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tail fin

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tail fin was in 1681

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Cite this Entry

“Tail fin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tail%20fin. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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