plural tarpon or tarpons
: a large silvery elongated bony fish (Megalops atlanticus of the family Megalopidae) that occurs especially in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and warm coastal waters of the Atlantic, reaches a length of about six feet (two meters), and is often caught for sport
Examples of tarpon in a Sentence
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As in much of McGuane’s fiction, the natural environment—in this case, the vitreous Florida flats, and the angler-tormenting tarpon, permit, and bonefish that populate them—provides the foil.
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Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
And while catch and release has become popular with plenty of species from bonefish, tarpon, and permit to smallmouth bass, walleye, and even sharks, few species dominate the catch-and-release culture quite like trout.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Their 306,000-gallon ocean habitat is complete with a replica shipwreck that houses sharks, tarpon, and several other fish species.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
Robbie’s Marina: No trip through the Upper Keys is complete without a stop to feed the tarpon.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
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Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
And while catch and release has become popular with plenty of species from bonefish, tarpon, and permit to smallmouth bass, walleye, and even sharks, few species dominate the catch-and-release culture quite like trout.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
Their 306,000-gallon ocean habitat is complete with a replica shipwreck that houses sharks, tarpon, and several other fish species.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
Robbie’s Marina: No trip through the Upper Keys is complete without a stop to feed the tarpon.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tarpon
Cite this Entry
“Tarpon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tarpon. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tarpon
noun
tar·pon
ˈtär-pən 
plural tarpon or tarpons
: a large silvery sport fish found in the Gulf of Mexico and warm coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean
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