herring

noun

her·​ring ˈher-iŋ 

ˈhe-riŋ

plural herring or herrings

1

: either of two food fishes (genus Clupea):

a

: one (C. harengus) that is abundant in the temperate and colder parts of the North Atlantic and that in the adult state is preserved by smoking or salting and in the young state is extensively canned and sold as sardines

b

: one (C. pallasi synonym C. h. pallasi) of the North Pacific harvested especially for its roe

2

: any of a large family (Clupeidae) of soft-finned bony fishes (such as the herrings, shads, sardines, and menhadens) that have a laterally compressed body and a forked tail and usually occur in schools

Examples of herring in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a feeder for larger varieties of fish, herring is naturally small and low in mercury. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026

Even our teacher joined in, making a case for sill (herring), most famous in its inlagd (pickled) form. —Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026

Canned herring packed with bones is rich in calcium and is also shelf-stable and more affordable than fresh mackerel. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 Jan. 2026

In recent days, Babymac also started eating solid food — herring, squid and anchovies — as well. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hering, from Old English hǣring; akin to Old High German hārinc herring

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing herring

• blueback herring
• herring gull
• lake herring
• red herring

Rhymes for herring

• airing
• bearing
• blaring
• caring
• chairing
• charing
• daring
• erring
• fairing
• flaring
• glaring
• haring

Kids Definition

herring

noun

her·​ring ˈher-iŋ 

plural herring or herrings

: a valuable food fish that is very common in the north Atlantic Ocean

also : any of various fishes like this one or related to it