baleen Definition
a horny substance growing in a series of transverse plates along the upper jaws of baleen whales, and used to strain plankton from the water.
Using baleen: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "baleen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The baleen of the whale is made of keratin, the same material as human hair and nails.
Example
Baleen whales use their baleen plates to filter food from the water.
Example
The baleen of the bowhead whale can grow up to 14 feet long.
Summary: baleen in Brief
The term 'baleen' [beɪˈliːn] refers to a hard, horny substance that grows in plates along the upper jaws of baleen whales. It is used to filter plankton from the water, which is the primary food source for these whales. Examples of usage include 'Baleen whales use their baleen plates to filter food from the water.'
