spearfish

1 of 2

noun

spear·​fish ˈspir-ˌfish How to pronounce spearfish (audio)
: any of several billfishes (genus Tetrapturus) having the anterior part of the first dorsal fin about as high as the body is deep

Illustration of spearfish

Illustration of spearfish

spearfish

2 of 2

verb

spearfished; spearfishing; spearfishes

intransitive verb

: to fish with a spear

Examples of spearfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Atlantic longbill spearfish—a rare relative of sailfish and marlin—is part of the line up as well. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 9 Nov. 2023 Coleman said the spearfish hit a purple Zuker lure with a vinyl skirt, a common attractor for albacore tuna. Bill Monroe, oregonlive, 8 Oct. 2022 There, the ocean is filled with Pacific blue marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, and spearfish. Stephanie Granada, Sunset, 22 Jan. 2018 Recent studies have shown that gelatinous animals feature prominently in the diets of spearfish and two different types of tuna. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 31 Mar. 2017
Verb
These snorkels are popular among free divers and people who spearfish thanks to their sleek, minimal drag design. Chantae Reden, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2023 Both men were taught how to spearfish by their father, uncles, and grandfathers, who'd take them into the Daintree and order them to head toward the nearest crocodile. Lizzie Pook, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2022 Omar Olsen, chef at Lionfish at Delray Beach in Florida, used to spearfish for the fish daily with his diver friends. Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2022 In a day, most will stay in their shanties for as long as they're allowed to spearfish—sun up until 1 p.m.— and then head off to socialize and celebrate into the evening. Amanda Ogle, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2021 People that haven’t seen each other all year get together to spearfish for sturgeon. Amanda Ogle, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2021 Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Coleman learned to spearfish and sail as a boy, according to the website for his company, Lovewater Surf Co., which offers lessons and rentals in Santa Barbara. Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 Taylor started diving at just 21, learning to spearfish before turning her focus toward the mysteries of sharks and marine conservation. Kate Hogan, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2021 The Vilas County Sheriff's Office said that shots fired on Little Saint Germain Lake Saturday night were not meant to frighten tribal harvesters spearfishing at a pier nearby, but a tribal agency has countered that claim. Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spearfish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spearfish was circa 1882

Dictionary Entries Near spearfish

Cite this Entry

“Spearfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spearfish. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spearfish

verb
spear·​fish
ˈspi(ə)r-ˌfish
: to fish with a spear

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