Dolphin vs. Porpoise

Difference Between Dolphin and Porpoise

Dolphinnoun

A carnivorous aquatic mammal in one of several families of order Cetacea, famed for its intelligence and occasional willingness to approach humans.

Porpoisenoun

A small cetacean of the family Phocoenidae, related to whales and dolphins.

Dolphinnoun

A fish, the mahi-mahi or dorado, Coryphaena hippurus, with a dorsal fin that runs the length of the body, also known for iridescent coloration.

Porpoisenoun

Any small dolphin.

Dolphinnoun

(heraldry) A depiction of a fish, with a broad indented fin, usually embowed.

Porpoiseverb

(intransitive) Said of an air-breathing aquatic animal such as a porpoise or penguin: To repeatedly jump out of the water to take a breath and dive back in a continuous motion.

Dolphinnoun

The dauphin, eldest son of the kings of France.

Porpoiseverb

(intransitive) Said of an aircraft: to make a series of plunges when taking off or landing; or of a watercraft: to successively plunge up and down in the water.

Dolphinnoun

(historical) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped through the deck and the hull of an enemy's vessel to sink it.

Porpoisenoun

any of several small gregarious cetacean mammals having a blunt snout and many teeth

Dolphinnoun

(nautical) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.

Dolphinnoun

(nautical) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables.

Dolphinnoun

A mooring post on a wharf or beach.

Dolphinnoun

A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale.

Dolphinnoun

One of the handles above the trunnions by which a gun was lifted.

Dolphinnoun

(nautical) A man-made semi submerged maritime structure, usually installed to provide a fixed structure for temporary mooring, to prevent ships from drifting to shallow water or to serve as base for navigational aids.