porpoise

[ pawr-puhs ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) por·poise, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) por·pois·es.

1. any of several small, gregarious cetacean mammals of the genus Phocoena, usually blackish above and paler beneath, and having a blunt, rounded snout, especially the common porpoise, P. phocoena, of both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
2. any of several small cetacean mammals, as the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis.

verb (used without object)

, por·poised, por·pois·ing.

1. (of a speeding motorboat) to leap clear of the water after striking a wave.
2. (of a torpedo) to appear above the surface of the water.
3. to move forward with a rising and falling motion in the manner of a porpoise:

   The car has a tendency to porpoise when overloaded.

porpoise

/ ˈpɔːpəs /

noun

1. any of various small cetacean mammals of the genus Phocaena and related genera, having a blunt snout and many teeth: family Delphinidae (or Phocaenidae )
2. not in technical use any of various related cetaceans, esp the dolphin

Other Words From

• porpoise·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of porpoise¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English porpoys, from Middle French porpois, from unattested Vulgar Latin porcopiscis “hog fish,” for Latin porcus marīnus “sea hog”

Word History and Origins

Origin of porpoise¹

C14: from French pourpois, from Medieval Latin porcopiscus (from Latin porcus pig + piscis fish), replacing Latin porcus marīnus sea pig

Example Sentences

The bay is also home to harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and a variety of bird life including razorbills and guillemots.

From BBC

Sea Watch is a national marine environmental charity working to improve the conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the seas around Britain and Ireland.

From BBC

Experts only have educated guesses about the prevalence of porpoises, dolphins and humpback whales too.

From Los Angeles Times

There are now four cetacean species living in or regularly visiting the busy waters east of the Golden Gate — harbor porpoises, gray whales, humpback whales and bottle-nosed dolphins.

From Los Angeles Times

In general people relax and have a good time on the water, but that is unfortunately not the case for the harbor porpoise.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• mammal