ENGLISH
REFERENCE

humpback

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈhəmpˌbæk// UK //hˈʌmpbæk// hump·back

n. a very large whale with a curved back and long fins. These whales are famous for their beautiful songs and for jumping out of the water.

n. a large baleen whale of the genus Megaptera, characterized by a humped back and exceptionally long pectoral fins. Known for complex vocalizations and breaching behavior.


SIMPLE

We saw a humpback jump out of the ocean today.

CONTEXTUAL

During their winter migration, several humpback whales were spotted breaching just a few miles off the coast.

COMPLEX

Marine biologists have spent decades recording the intricate, evolving songs of the humpback, which can travel for hundreds of miles through the deep ocean.

Usage

Often used as a modifier in the compound 'humpback whale'.

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