dolphin
noun
, ˈdȯl-\
Definition of dolphin
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.
Illustration of dolphin
dolphin 1a
Examples of dolphin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Studies have shown that manta rays may recognize themselves in the mirror, an ability indicative of high cognitive function, also shown by dolphins, primates, and elephants. — National Geographic, "THE BEST OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX," 26 Aug. 2019 Live animals: Cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, camels, rabbits, horses, whales, dolphins, foxes and reptiles. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "When new, higher tariffs are scheduled to start on Chinese imports and what may cost more," 23 Aug. 2019 Those visitors who do come are likely to spot an abundance of wildlife, including dolphins, whales, seals, sheep herds numbering in the hundreds, razorbills, flocks of geese and more. — Shivani Vora, chicagotribune.com, "Skip the much-visited Irish cliffs for taller, less-touristed crags," 20 Aug. 2019 Those visitors who do come are likely to spot an abundance of wildlife, including dolphins, whales, seals, sheep herds numbering in the hundreds, razorbills, flocks of geese and more. — Shivani Vora, Washington Post, "Skip the much-visited Irish cliffs for taller, less-touristed crags," 15 Aug. 2019 Some estimates have suggested there may be as many as 5.25 trillion macro and microplastic pieces floating in the ocean, many of which wind up in the digestive tracks of sea animals, such as dolphins, whales and turtles. — Fox News, "Green turtles are dying because they're eating plastic that looks like food," 10 Aug. 2019 Call it a sewer salmon, mud marlin, pond pig, river rabbit, dumpster dolphin, ghetto grouper, septic steelie or Cyprinus carpio. — latimes.com, "Today: A Retreat, Without a Question," 12 July 2019 Holly Eva Ryan Local residents allege that since the factory arrived in Gunjur, swathes of dead fish and mammals – including whales, turtles, dolphins, eels and rays – have washed up on the beach. — Holly Eva Ryan, Quartz Africa, "Anti-Chinese protests in a Gambian fishing village show conflict of foreign investment in Africa," 27 June 2019 The 138-acre park, formerly called Marine World, features rides and a variety of animals, including dolphins, rare penguins and Bengal tigers. — Bob Egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Animal-rights activists win free speech ruling over Vallejo’s Six Flags protests," 21 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dolphin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for dolphin
dolphin
noun
English Language Learners Definition of dolphin
See the full definition for dolphin in the English Language Learners Dictionary
dolphin
noun
, ˈdȯl-\
Kids Definition of dolphin
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