Beluga

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /bəˈluː.É¡É™/
• Rhymes: -uːɡə

Alternative forms

• Beluga

Origin

From the Russian белуга (in turn белый (bélyj, "white")). In modern standard Russian белуга means the fish only (the "European sturgeon") and белуха a "white whale".

Full definition of beluga

Noun

1. A cetacean, Delphinapterus leucas, found in the Arctic Ocean.
2. A fish, , found in the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, that is a source of caviar

Synonyms

• (whale) beluga whale, white whale, sea canary
• (fish)