trunkfish

noun

trunk·​fish ˈtrəŋk-ˌfish How to pronounce trunkfish (audio)
: any of numerous small often bright colored bony fishes (family Ostraciidae) of tropical seas with the body and head enclosed in a bony carapace

Examples of trunkfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The second species was Rhinesomus triqueter, the smooth trunkfish. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2015 The app also includes a nearly 500 million-year-old sea creature called an Aegirocassis, a trunkfish, a shark, and several more—most of which are also viewable as 3D models on one of Google's websites. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 25 Aug. 2020

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

circa 1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trunkfish was circa 1804

Dictionary Entries Near trunkfish

Cite this Entry

“Trunkfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trunkfish. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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