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dolphin

The definition of a dolphin is a smart, sociable, friendly whale with a fin on its back.

(noun)

An example of a dolphin is a friendly whale that lives in the oceans or at aquariums.

See dolphin in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any of two widespread families (Platanistidae and Delphinidae) of toothed whales having high levels of intelligence and usually a beaklike snout
any of a percoid family (Coryphaenidae) of marine game fishes with colors that brighten and change when the fish is taken out of the water
Naut. a buoy, pile, or, esp., a cluster of piles for mooring a vessel

Origin: ME dolfin < OFr dalphin < VL dalfinus, for L delphinus < Gr delphinos, gen. of delphis (< IE base *gwelbh-): so named from its shape

See dolphin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. Dolphin dolphin or dol·phins

Any of various marine cetacean mammals, such as the bottle-nosed dolphin, of the family Delphinidae, related to the whales but generally smaller and having a beaklike snout.
a. A large marine food and game fish (Coryphaena hippurus) found worldwide in tropical waters, having an iridescent blue back, yellow sides, a steep blunt forehead, and a long continuous dorsal fin. Also called dolphinfish, dorado, mahi-mahi.
b. A similar fish (C. equisetis) of smaller size, having silvery or pale yellow sides. Also called dolphinfish, pompano dolphin.
a. A buoy, pile, or group of piles used for mooring boats.
b. A group of piers used as a fender at a dock.