blue whale
Definition
Noun: 1. The largest known animal, a marine mammal: A "blue whale" is a very large baleen whale (whalebone whale) with a bluish-grey colored body. It is known for its long migrations and is most commonly found in the Southern Hemisphere.
Usage Examples
- The blue whale's heart is the size of a small car.
- Scientists are tracking the migration patterns of the blue whale.
- Seeing a blue whale in the wild is a rare and unforgettable experience.
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in scientific and conservation contexts to discuss biology, ecology, and protection efforts for this specific species.
- International agreements aim to protect the endangered blue whale.
Variants and Related Words
- Balaenoptera musculus: The scientific (Latin) name for the blue whale.
- Baleen whale: The broader category of whales to which the blue whale belongs, which filter-feed using baleen plates instead of teeth.
- Cetacean: The order of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Synonyms
- Great whale (a general term for large baleen whales, but often associated with the blue whale due to its size).
- Sulphur-bottom whale (an older, less common name for the blue whale, referring to the yellowish diatom film sometimes seen on its underside).
Related Phrases
- Blue whale unit (BWU): A historical term used in whaling regulations, where one blue whale was considered equivalent to a certain number of other, smaller whale species. This phrase is specific to historical commercial whaling discussions.
Noun
-
largest mammal ever known; bluish-grey migratory whalebone whale mostly of southern hemisphere
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