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
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For example, the vaquita, a porpoise found only in the Gulf of California, is the world’s smallest and most endangered living cetacean.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Commemorate cetaceans in Oxnard The Channel Islands Harbor will host its 26th Celebration of the Whales Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 3350 S. Harbor Blvd.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
So, why do these intelligent cetaceans continue to become entangled in fishing gear?
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
Other cetaceans in the region, especially the migratory species, will not seek any encounters.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Commemorate cetaceans in Oxnard The Channel Islands Harbor will host its 26th Celebration of the Whales Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 3350 S. Harbor Blvd.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
So, why do these intelligent cetaceans continue to become entangled in fishing gear?
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
Other cetaceans in the region, especially the migratory species, will not seek any encounters.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cetacean
Cite this Entry
“Cetacean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cetacean. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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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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