blue whale

noun

: a very large baleen whale (Balaenoptera musculus synonym Sibbaldus musculus) that may reach a weight of 150 tons (136 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal

Illustration of blue whale

Illustration of blue whale

Examples of blue whale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The nutrient-rich waters of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park attract up to 13 species of marine mammals, including humpback, minke, and blue whales. Bonjour Québec, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025 The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary protects beaches and shorelines, and also extends 60 miles into the Pacific Ocean, safeguarding a variety of flora, like dense kelp forests, and fauna, including leopard and horn sharks, blue whales, and black abalone. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025 Some animals on the endangered species list include cheetahs, lemurs, marine otters, black rhinoceroses, blue whales, polar bears and several others. Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025 Saya de Malha Bank offers safe haven to an unprecedented biodiversity of seagrass habitats for turtles and breeding grounds for sharks, humpback and blue whales. Christian Orozco, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blue whale

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue whale was in 1851

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blue whale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20whale. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

blue whale

noun
: a whale that may reach a weight of 150 tons (135 metric tons) and a length of 100 feet (30 meters) and is generally considered the largest living animal

More from Merriam-Webster on blue whale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!