1. to raise and slap the tail flukes on the water surface, as a whale does
Usage: marine biology; often used of whales and dolphins

1. the action or sound of a whale or dolphin slapping its tail flukes on the water
Usage: marine biology

Examples

• The humpback whale began to lobtail repeatedly near the boat.
• We heard the loud lobtail of a dolphin breaking the surface.
• Marine biologists study why whales lobtail during feeding and social interactions.
• The lobtail created a dramatic splash visible from the shore.
• Dolphins often lobtail as a form of communication with other members of their pod.
• The researcher documented several instances of lobtailing behavior during the expedition.