walleye

noun

wall·​eye ˈwȯl-ˌī 

1

a

: an eye with a whitish or bluish-white iris

b

: an eye with an opaque white cornea

2

a

: strabismus in which the eye turns outward away from the nose

b

: an eye affected with strabismus of this type

3

: a large vigorous North American freshwater food and sport fish (Sander vitreus synonym Stizostedion vitreum) that has large opaque eyes and is related to the perches but resembles the true pike

called also walleyed pike

Examples of walleye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year's harvest level reflects a slight decline in the adult walleye population recorded during last fall's assessment netting. —Eric Henderson, CBS News, 6 May 2026

For example, removing top predators like walleye can lead to an increase in small fish, which eat tiny zooplankton, which feed on phytoplankton. —Matthew Robertson, The Conversation, 6 May 2026

In Bde Maka Ska, those fish include bluegill, crappies, muskies, northern pike, largemouth bass and walleye, which also support a strong urban fishing community. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

This is my very subjective list of favorite fish to fry (in order): crappie, bluegill, walleye, largemouth bass (from late-fall cold waters of the Pacific Northwest), catfish. —Jack Hennessy, Outdoor Life, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from walleyed

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing walleye

• walleye pollack

Rhymes for walleye

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

walleye

noun

wall·​eye ˈwȯ-ˌlī 

: a large vigorous North American freshwater food and sport fish with large eyes that is related to the perches but resembles the true pike

called also walleyed pike

Medical Definition

walleye

noun

wall·​eye ˈwȯ-ˌlī 

1

a

: an eye with a bluish white iris

b

: an eye with an opaque white cornea

2

a

: strabismus in which the eye turns outward away from the nose

called also exotropia

compare cross-eye sense 1

b

walleyes -ˌlīz  plural : eyes affected with divergent strabismus