whalebone

American  

[hweyl-bohn, weyl-] / ˈʰweɪlˌboʊn, ˈweɪl- /

noun

1. baleen.

2. a thin strip of this substance, as for stiffening a corset.

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whalebone British  

/ ˈweɪlˌbəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: baleen.  a horny elastic material forming a series of numerous thin plates that hang from the upper jaw on either side of the palate in the toothless (whalebone) whales and strain plankton from water entering the mouth

2. a thin strip of this substance, used in stiffening corsets, bodices, etc

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Etymology

Origin of whalebone

First recorded in 1600–10; whale ¹ + bone

Example Sentences

The cinched waist—the subtle negative drafts ahead of rear quarters—might as well have had whalebone stays.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 25, 2025

Between the sapphires and the whalebone corset she describes, one false breath or move could rip both the gown and her skin apart.

From Slate • May 4, 2023

The farthingale sleeve is made from a thick cotton material called fustian, stitched with 14 casings of linen each containing a hoop of baleen, also known as whalebone.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2022

Every day, on board the Pequod, Ishmael looks out for a glimpse of Ahab, with a peg leg made out of whalebone.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 22, 2019

She must have had a pelvic arch of whalebone, for she had big children one after the other.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck