Main Entry: shad

Pronunciation: \ˈshad\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural shad

Etymology: Middle English *shad, from Old English sceadd

Date: before 12th century

: any of several fishes (especially genus Alosa) of the herring family that differ from the typical herrings (genus Clupeus) in having a relatively deep body and in being anadromous and that include some important food fishes of Europe and North America