cetacean
noun
ce·ta·cean
si-ˈtā-shən 
: any of an order (Cetacea) of aquatic mostly marine mammals that includes the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and related forms and that have a torpedo-shaped nearly hairless body, paddle-shaped forelimbs but no hind limbs, one or two nares opening externally at the top of the head, and a horizontally flattened tail used for locomotion
cetacean
adjective
Examples of cetacean in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Niagara Falls kept cetaceans and seals from colonizing most of the Great Lakes; however, there is evidence from historical records that harbor seals did inhabit Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain up into the early 1800s but were hunted to extinction there.
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Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Many of the doomed cetaceans looked skinny or emaciated, while others looked torn up by orcas.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Because both groups of cetaceans were so diverse, some species likely ventured into river and lake ecosystems, seeking less competition for food.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
With so many cetaceans in South Georgia’s waters now, plus more than 80 visits by sightseeing vessels every summer, ship strikes are a risk.
—Douglas Main, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024
Whales are cetaceans, as are porpoises and dolphins.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
Whether in the Pacific, Arctic, or Atlantic oceans, the cetaceans, bears, and marine life are uniquely different in each environment, especially when the Arctic Ocean thaws come spring.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2023
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of otherwise healthy cetaceans have died as a result of the war.
—David Axe, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
California June 7, 2023 Others wonder if the unusually large pods of multi-ton cetaceans now appearing off the coasts of San Francisco, Monterey and Nantucket, Mass., may soon follow suit.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023
Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Many of the doomed cetaceans looked skinny or emaciated, while others looked torn up by orcas.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Because both groups of cetaceans were so diverse, some species likely ventured into river and lake ecosystems, seeking less competition for food.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
With so many cetaceans in South Georgia’s waters now, plus more than 80 visits by sightseeing vessels every summer, ship strikes are a risk.
—Douglas Main, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024
Whales are cetaceans, as are porpoises and dolphins.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
Whether in the Pacific, Arctic, or Atlantic oceans, the cetaceans, bears, and marine life are uniquely different in each environment, especially when the Arctic Ocean thaws come spring.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2023
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of otherwise healthy cetaceans have died as a result of the war.
—David Axe, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
California June 7, 2023 Others wonder if the unusually large pods of multi-ton cetaceans now appearing off the coasts of San Francisco, Monterey and Nantucket, Mass., may soon follow suit.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cetacean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cetacean
Cite this Entry
“Cetacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cetacean. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cetacean
noun
ce·ta·cean
si-ˈtā-shən
: any of an order of aquatic mammals (as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise)
cetacean
adjective
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