bottlenose dolphin

noun

bot·​tle·​nose dolphin ˈbä-tᵊl-ˌnōz- How to pronounce bottlenose dolphin (audio)
variants or less commonly bottle-nosed dolphin or bottlenose
: a relatively small chiefly gray toothed whale (Tursiops truncatus) of temperate to tropical waters that has a prominent beak and falcate dorsal fin, reaches a length of 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters), and is typically found in groups
also : a related whale (T. aduncus) of waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Examples of bottlenose dolphin 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.
Toxic Personality Barfield plead guilty to three counts of killing bottlenose dolphins, according to USA Today. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025 Read More ‘Fisherman frustrated with dolphins shot and poisoned them in Florida, feds say’ In Florida, Zackery Brandon Barfield, a Panama City commercial fisherman, was sentenced to 30 days in prison over shooting and poisoning bottlenose dolphins, according to federal prosecutors. Miami Herald, 24 May 2025 In the Southeast, that includes protecting marine life such as sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and coral. Kathryn Varn, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 Back then its four thrusters – totaling 60 kW – were engineered to push the three-person submersible to speeds of 8 knots – that's reportedly faster than the cruising speed of a bottlenose dolphin – at depths of up to 300 m (984.25 ft). Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bottlenose dolphin

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bottlenose dolphin was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bottlenose dolphin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bottlenose%20dolphin. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bottlenose dolphin

noun
bot·​tle·​nose dolphin
ˌbät-ᵊl-ˌnōz-
: a medium-sized stout-bodied whale with teeth and a short snout

More from Merriam-Webster on bottlenose dolphin

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!