beaked whale: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist/Technical
Quick answer
What does “beaked whale” mean?
A type of medium-sized whale in the family Ziphiidae, characterized by a distinct, dolphin-like beak.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of medium-sized whale in the family Ziphiidae, characterized by a distinct, dolphin-like beak.
Any of over 20 species of cetacean distinguished by elongated snouts, deep diving capabilities, and often being rarely sighted. They are also noted for their specialized feeding on deep-sea squid and fish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or use. Both use the same species names (e.g., 'Sowerby's beaked whale').
Connotations
Slight association with British/Irish waters due to notable stranding records and research in the Northeast Atlantic.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to marine biology, wildlife conservation, and nature documentary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “beaked whale” in a Sentence
[Species] beaked whaleBeaked whales [verb of observation: were sighted/stranded/dived]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beaked whale” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The beaked-whale population in the North Atlantic is monitored closely.
American English
- Beaked-whale research often focuses on their response to sonar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in marine biology papers on cetacean taxonomy, deep-dive physiology, or ocean noise impact studies.
Everyday
Virtually unused in casual conversation unless discussing specific wildlife documentaries or news about whale strandings.
Technical
The standard zoological term for members of Ziphiidae, used in species identification keys, conservation status reports, and acoustic monitoring data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beaked whale”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beaked whale”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beaked whale”
- Incorrect plural: 'beaked whales' (correct), not 'beaked whale'.
- Misspelling: 'beaked' misspelt as 'beaked'.
- Misclassification: Assuming all beaked whales are small (some, like Baird's, can reach 12 metres).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are toothed cetaceans, beaked whales belong to the family Ziphiidae, which is distinct from the dolphin family (Delphinidae).
There are over 20 known species in the Ziphiidae family, with new species still being identified.
They inhabit deep, offshore waters, dive for long periods to extreme depths, and are generally inconspicuous at the surface.
Their diet consists primarily of deep-sea squid and fish, which they suck into their mouths using a specialised feeding mechanism.
A type of medium-sized whale in the family Ziphiidae, characterized by a distinct, dolphin-like beak.
Beaked whale is usually specialist/technical in register.
Beaked whale: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbiːkt ˈweɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbikt ˈ(h)weɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird's BEAK on a WHALE. It's a whale with a beak-like snout.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a beaked whale?