triggerfish

noun

trig·​ger·​fish ˈtri-gər-ˌfish How to pronounce triggerfish (audio)
: any of various deep-bodied bony fishes (family Balistidae, especially genus Balistes) of warm seas having an anterior dorsal fin with two or three stout erectile spines

Illustration of triggerfish

Illustration of triggerfish

Examples of triggerfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And for underwater explorers, Six Senses Kanuhura promises 40 dive sites nearby, where travelers can spot Eagle rays, reef sharks and bright triggerfish. Kate Springer, CNN, 4 Jan. 2023 Eventually, it was determined the animal was likely a triggerfish. Michael Hollan, Fox News, 5 Aug. 2021 Anglers landing greater amberjack or gray triggerfish are required to report their catches via the state’s Snapper Check system. al, 30 July 2021 The upshot: The window in which anglers can go out for red snapper, greater amberjack and triggerfish is likely to stay open for a while. al, 30 July 2021 The eels share this safe spot with tangs, triggerfish, grouper and more. Jeanne Houck, Cincinnati.com, 2 Mar. 2020 Among them, for example, size limits for yellowtail snapper would increase from 12 inches to 14 inches, red grouper from 20 inches to 24 inches and gray triggerfish from 12 inches to 14 inches. Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Expect harissa seasons carrots, triggerfish garnished with marcona almond, and lamb loin with farro tabouli—and don't skip the house dirty martini, made with pickled tomato juice. Stephanie Burt, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2018 David Mann, a 35-year-old visitor from Colorado, caught eight fish including triggerfish, sea bass, tilapia and rockfish on a four-hour April trip. Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, 25 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'triggerfish.' 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

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of triggerfish was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near triggerfish

Cite this Entry

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

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