mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈma-k(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a scombroid fish (Scomber scombrus of the family Scombridae) of the North Atlantic that is green above with dark blue bars and silvery below and is a commercially important food fish

2

: any of various fishes (such as the wahoo and king mackerel) in the same family as the mackerel especially when distinguished from the related bonito or tuna by a comparatively smaller size

Illustration of mackerel

• mackerel 1

Examples of mackerel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel contain the most vitamin D3, while egg yolks, liver and red meat contain smaller amounts. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025

As the boat crescendoed over waves, seagulls screamed in chase, and the captain made radar promises over the loudspeaker: bass, bonito and sculpin — or at the very least, mackerel and pelicans. —Jacqueline Carr, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025

Potential dishes include Hokkaido scallop, cured mackerel and rockfish with vegetables to pair with it. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025

Today was not: just eight small sardines and mackerel from five hours casting handlines at sea. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English makerel, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mackerel

• Atka mackerel
• holy mackerel
• horse mackerel
• jack mackerel
• king mackerel
• mackerel shark
• mackerel sky
• Spanish mackerel

Kids Definition

mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈmak-(ə-)rəl 

plural mackerel or mackerels

1

: a North Atlantic food fish that is green with blue bars above and silvery below

2

: any of various usually small or medium-sized fishes related to the mackerel