1. flexible strips of baleen (keratin plates) from the mouths of certain whales, historically used in corsets and other items requiring flexibility
Usage: historical; often refers to baleen rather than actual whale bones
2. the actual bones from whale skeletons

Examples

• Victorian corsets were often reinforced with whalebones for structure.
• The museum displayed whalebones from a blue whale skeleton.
• Whalebones were valuable materials in 19th-century fashion.
• The old umbrella had whalebones as flexible ribs.
• Scientists studied the whalebones to determine the animal’s age.
• Collectors prize antique items made with genuine whalebones.