Illustration of dolphin
- dolphin 1a
1
a
: any of various small marine toothed whales (family Delphinidae) with the snout more or less elongated into a beak and the neck vertebrae partially fused
Note: While not closely related, dolphins and porpoises share a physical resemblance that often leads to misidentification. Dolphins typically have cone-shaped teeth, curved dorsal fins, and elongated beaks with large mouths, while porpoises have flat, spade-shaped teeth, triangular dorsal fins, and shortened beaks with smaller mouths.
b
: any of several related chiefly freshwater toothed whales (as of the families Platanistidae and Iniidae) : river dolphin
2
3
capitalized
: delphinus
4
: a spar or buoy for mooring boats
also
: a cluster of closely driven piles used as a fender for a dock or as a mooring or guide for boats
Examples of dolphin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours start at just $50 per person.
—
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
It was never built, because understanding dolphin language was never a research priority, but the whole project just feels very 1970s in its inspiration and enthusiasm.
—Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The dolphin Dolphins are most likely to self-report as insomniacs.
—Jp Shaffer
july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
Onlookers got the chance to spot the blue whales chasing their food along with a nursery of Risso’s dolphins, the group said.
—Paloma Chavez
july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dolphin
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Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
It was never built, because understanding dolphin language was never a research priority, but the whole project just feels very 1970s in its inspiration and enthusiasm.
—Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
The dolphin Dolphins are most likely to self-report as insomniacs.
—Jp Shaffer
july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
Onlookers got the chance to spot the blue whales chasing their food along with a nursery of Risso’s dolphins, the group said.
—Paloma Chavez
july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dolphin
Cite this Entry
“Dolphin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dolphin. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dolphin
noun
dol·phin
ˈdäl-fən 
ˈdȯl-
1
a
: any of various small whales with teeth and a long nose
b
2
: either of two active saltwater food fishes noted for their brilliant coloring
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