beluga

noun

be·​lu·​ga bə-ˈlü-gə How to pronounce beluga (audio)
1
: a large white sturgeon (Huso huso) of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and their tributaries
also : caviar processed from beluga roe compare osetra, sevruga
2
[Russian belukha, from belyĭ] : a toothed whale (Delphinapterus leucas) of arctic and subarctic waters having a fusiform body that is about 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when mature

called also white whale

Illustration of beluga

Illustration of beluga
  • beluga 2

Examples of beluga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the time, about 30 belugas and four dolphins remained at Marineland, according to previous USA TODAY reporting. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The three belugas were transported to California on Saturday in a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 cargo plane. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Before the transfers began last month, the park housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, notably the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Georgia Aquarium rehoused two belugas in the most recent effort, stopping in Chicago before continuing to Atlanta, according to the Shedd news release. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beluga

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from belyĭ white; akin to Greek phalios having a white spot — more at bald

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beluga was in 1591

Rhymes for beluga

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Browse Nearby Words

Beluchistan
beluga
beluga lentil
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Cite this Entry

“Beluga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beluga. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

beluga

noun
be·​lu·​ga bə-ˈlü-gə How to pronounce beluga (audio)
: a toothed whale that becomes 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 5.0 meters) long and white when adult

called also beluga whale

Etymology

from earlier beluga "a white sturgeon," from Russian beluga (same meaning), from belyǐ "white"

More from Merriam-Webster on beluga

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about beluga

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