trout

noun

ˈtrau̇t 

plural trout also trouts

1

: any of various salmonid food and sport fishes that are mostly smaller than the typical salmons and are anadromous or restricted to cool clear fresh water:

a

: any of various Old or New World fishes (genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus) compare brown trout, rainbow trout

b

: char entry 1

2

: any of various fishes (such as the largemouth bass) held to resemble the true trouts

Examples of trout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rainbow trout is especially rich in vitamin D, a nutrient many people don’t get enough of from food. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 5 Aug. 2026

The landscape, protected by one of Wyoming’s earliest conservation easements, includes four mountain ponds and 600 feet of trout stream along Little Goose Creek. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026

The consequences aren’t just ecological; trout fishing is closely entwined with the economy in many Rocky Mountain communities. — Matthew Brown, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

Record-breaking heat and drought are driving Western rivers to lethal temperatures for trout, forcing wildlife officials to impose widespread afternoon fishing closures in Montana and Colorado, including parts of Yellowstone park. — Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English trūht, from Late Latin trocta, tructa, a fish with sharp teeth, from Greek trōktēs, literally, gnawer, from trōgein to gnaw — more at troglodyte

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trout

• brook trout
• brown trout
• cutthroat trout
• Dolly Varden trout
• golden trout
• lake trout
• Mackinaw trout
• rainbow trout
• sea trout
• speckled trout
• spotted sea trout
• trout lily
• trout-perch

Rhymes for trout

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout

Kids Definition

trout

noun

ˈtrau̇t 

plural trout also trouts

1

: any of various edible fishes that are mostly smaller than the related salmons, are restricted to cool clear fresh water or spend time at sea before returning to fresh water to breed, and are often speckled with dark colors

2

: any of various fishes that resemble the true trouts