Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bêche-de-mer

noun \ ˌbesh-də-ˈmer , ˌbāsh- \

Definition of bêche-de-mer

1 plural bêche-de-mer or bêches-de-mer play \ˌbesh-də-, ˌbe-shəz-, ˌbāsh-\ : trepang
2 capitalized B&M : any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific

Origin and Etymology of bêche-de-mer

French, alteration of biche de mer, from Portuguese bicho do mar, literally, sea worm

Learn More about bêche-de-mer

  1. See words that rhyme with bêche-de-mer

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bêche-de-mer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games