batfish

noun bat·fish \ ˈbat-ˌfish \

|Updated on: 30 Jun 2018

Definition of batfish

: any of several fishes with winglike processes; especially : any of a family (Ogcocephalidae of the order Lophiiformes) of flattened pediculate bony fishes

Recent Examples of batfish from the Web

Red-lipped batfish or Venezuelan poodle moth, anyone?

— bryn nelson /, NBC News, "The audacious plan to catalog all life on Earth," 14 June 2018
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Akron Zoo brings new exotic animals to June Curious Creatures exhibit," 15 May 2018
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.

— richard conniff, Smithsonian, "A New Age of Discovery Is Happening Right Now in the Remote Forests of Suriname," 29 Mar. 2017
Andrew Delano Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Hand that shrimp a trophy. UM unveils underwater photo winners," 26 May 2017
Andrew Delano Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Hand that shrimp a trophy. UM unveils underwater photo winners," 26 May 2017
Among the 650 entries from 18 different countries and 15 states were shots of some of the planet’s most awesome inhabitants, from baby flying fish flapping in the inky black to a school of eerie batfish.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Hand that shrimp a trophy. UM unveils underwater photo winners," 26 May 2017
The Curious Creatures exhibit opens June 3 and includes naked mole rats, leaf-cutter ants, red-eyed tree frogs, walking batfish, chain dogfish, flashlight fish, mata mata turtle and more.

— james ewinger, cleveland.com, "Curious Creatures are the Akron Zoo's latest stars (photos, video)," 24 May 2017
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.

— richard conniff, Smithsonian, "A New Age of Discovery Is Happening Right Now in the Remote Forests of Suriname," 2 May 2017

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