aquaculture
noun
aqua·cul·ture
ˈä-kwə-ˌkəl-chər 
ˈa-
variants
or less commonly aquiculture
: the cultivation of aquatic organisms (such as fish or shellfish) especially for food
aquaculture
transitive verb
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For most of the modern history of aquaculture, only costly fish and shellfish like salmon and shrimp were harvested. But new technologies are allowing cheaper and more efficient cultivation of fish for food, and such common fish as cod are now being farmed. Seaweeds and other algae are also being grown--for food (mostly in Asia), cattle feed, fertilizer, and experimentally as a source of energy. Aquaculture is now the world's fastest-growing form of food production.
Examples of aquaculture in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers — with the exception of small aquaculture enterprises — are not eligible for the loans.
—
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
In Nigeria, aquaculture producers worked with the Acorn, an initiative of Rabobank, to restore mangroves, protecting coastlines while boosting fish populations.
—Felipe Arango, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
The film takes viewers on a journey across three continents, revealing how the rapid expansion of aquaculture threatens marine ecosystems and local communities.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
WorldFish's research and advocacy projects led to new legislation to support aquaculture in several countries including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Zambia, while helping restore fish species that had low populations.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aquaculture
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Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
In Nigeria, aquaculture producers worked with the Acorn, an initiative of Rabobank, to restore mangroves, protecting coastlines while boosting fish populations.
—Felipe Arango, Sourcing Journal, 26 Sep. 2025
The film takes viewers on a journey across three continents, revealing how the rapid expansion of aquaculture threatens marine ecosystems and local communities.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
WorldFish's research and advocacy projects led to new legislation to support aquaculture in several countries including India, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Zambia, while helping restore fish species that had low populations.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aquaculture
Cite this Entry
“Aquaculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquaculture. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aquaculture
noun
aqua·cul·ture
ˈak-wə-ˌkəl-ˌchər
äk-
: the cultivation of living things (as fish or shellfish) naturally occurring in water
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