swordfish

noun

sword·​fish ˈsȯrd-ˌfish How to pronounce swordfish (audio)
: a very large scombroid fish (Xiphias gladius of the family Xiphiidae) that has a long swordlike beak formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is an important food and game fish

Illustration of swordfish

Illustration of swordfish

Examples of swordfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In October, a surfer was killed after being impaled by either a needlefish or a swordfish – another species of fish that can leap out of the water and cause puncture wounds – off Indonesia's West Sumatra coast. Dan Radel, USA Today, 27 June 2025 Enjoy now or in a few years with lobster, swordfish or similar foods. Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 The 17,000-square-foot, 400-seat Del Mar (indoors and on its terrace) hasn’t dropped its menu yet, but the Naples flagship serves spicy lamb sausage Turkish flatbreads, tomato salads and loaded hummus starters, as well as lobster spaghetti, veal chops, swordfish and 16-ounce ribeyes for entrees. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025 The most interesting of the seafood dishes is the swordfish steak with chermoula,gingered cauliflower pilaf, eggplant yogurt and charred lemon. John Mariani, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for swordfish

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of swordfish was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Swordfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swordfish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

swordfish

noun
sword·​fish -ˌfish How to pronounce swordfish (audio)
: a very large ocean fish that has a long swordlike beak formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is an important food and game fish

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