anadromous

adjective anad·ro·mous \ ə-ˈna-drə-məs \

Updated on: 1 May 2018

Definition of anadromous

: ascending rivers from the sea for breeding

shad are anadromous

— compare catadromous

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Recent Examples of anadromous from the Web

The terrain is rough, access can be difficult and anadromous fish are notoriously tricky to hook.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Hit the road for your next fishing adventure. You might catch something new. | Idaho Statesman," 7 Mar. 2018
This trend ultimately results in fewer spawning adults returning to their natal streams, causing escapement goals to be missed, and potentially fewer young fish to continue their anadromous lifecycle.

— sam cotten, Anchorage Daily News, "Why the state decided to shut down or restrict king salmon fishing in the Susitna River drainage," 14 Mar. 2018
The pipeline would cross streams for anadromous and resident fish species at 77 locations.

— laine welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Suggested catches of Pacific halibut decrease this year," 29 Jan. 2018
The Legacy Act presumes that all state waterways are anadromous, meaning paths for salmon returning from the ocean to spawn in their home streams.

— laine welch, Alaska Dispatch News, "Gearing up for National Seafood Month," 23 Sep. 2017
However, several tribes and Native NGOs in Bristol Bay oppose Pebble mine's plans to dump toxic fill in the headwaters of anadromous streams.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Letters to the editor: Readers write, October 22, 2017," 22 Oct. 2017
The next minute, chaos hits as an anadromous monster goes berserk on the end of your line, with only a barbless hook point keeping it attached.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Looking for a new fishing thrill? Try your hand at one of these monsters," 16 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anadromous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anadromous

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1753

in the meaning defined above

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anadromous

Definition of anadromous

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