anadromous

adjective

anad·​ro·​mous ə-ˈna-drə-məs How to pronounce anadromous (audio)
: ascending rivers from the sea for breeding
shad are anadromous
compare catadromous

Examples of anadromous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The species is anadromous and spends part of its life in both salt and freshwater. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025 The first Chinook salmon was seen moving up past where the Iron Gate dam had stood within a few weeks of that dam coming down, after a century of anadromous fish unable to migrate past that point up to the headwaters. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 May 2025 Like sturgeon, these are anadromous fish that are born in the river, go out to sea, and return to the river to spawn. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025 Work is proposed to be performed after July 4 to protect the anadromous fish spawning season, according to the Corps. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for anadromous

Word History

Etymology

Greek anadromos running upward, from anadramein to run upward, from ana- + dramein to run — more at dromedary

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anadromous was circa 1753

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anadromous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anadromous. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

anadromous

adjective
anad·​ro·​mous ə-ˈnad-rə-məs How to pronounce anadromous (audio)
: traveling up rivers from the sea to breed
anadromous shad and salmon
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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