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

Fin's recent interaction with the humpback duo was one of his more memorable whale encounters. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

May to October is the prime time to witness humpbacks, blue whales, and minke whales. —Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

The study’s dataset covers a wide geographic range, including humpback, sperm, and fin whale populations across northern Norway, Iceland, and the Cape Verde Islands. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025

People are well outnumbered by the humpbacks and pods of orcas, bald eagles and herons, seals and sea lions grunting their tone-deaf tunes atop the rocks. —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for humpback

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

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