any of the firm appendages that are the organs of locomotion and balance in fishes and some other aquatic animals. Most fishes have paired and unpaired fins, the former corresponding to the limbs of higher vertebrates
2.
a part or appendage that resembles a fin
3.
a. British
a vertical surface to which the rudder is attached, usually placed at the rear of an aeroplane to give stability about the vertical axis
US name: vertical stabilizer
b.
a tail surface fixed to a rocket or missile to give stability
4. nautical
a fixed or adjustable blade projecting under water from the hull of a vessel to give it stability or control
5.
a projecting rib to dissipate heat from the surface of an engine cylinder, motor casing, or radiator
6. (often plural) another name for flipper (sense 2)
verbWord forms: fins, finning or finned
7. (transitive)
to provide with fins
8. (transitive)
to remove the fins from (a dead fish)
9. (intransitive)
(esp of a whale) to agitate the fins violently in the water
Derived forms
finless (ˈfinless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English finn; related to Middle Dutch vinne, Old Swedish fina, Latin pinna wing
Examples of 'finning' in a sentence
finning
There were two of them, finning close together this time.
Mark Mills AMAGANSETT (2004)
Some half a mile away two swordfish were finning, lazing on the surface.