blackfish

noun

black·​fish ˈblak-ˌfish How to pronounce blackfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous dark-colored fishes: such as
a
: tautog
b
: a small bony fish (Dallia pectoralis of the family Umbridae) of Alaska and Siberia that is used for food and is noted for its resistance to cold
2
: any of several small toothed whales
especially : pilot whale

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The inshore fishing is mainly the die-hard tog fishermen, searching for a blackfish. Dan Radel, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2021 In the last five years, using jigs for blackfish has grown in popularity, with many arguing that the method is more effective than dropping a traditional rig. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2020 To see how much blackfish could take, the men subjected them to more tests. Anchorage Daily News, 28 Dec. 2019 The killer whales are called aaxlu, tukxukuak, agliuk, mesungesak, polossatik, skana, keet, feared one, grampus, blackfish, orca, big-fin, fat-chopper. Whale killer. Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Nov. 2019 These coolers formed a distribution point for guests who would collect meals of striped bass, black sea bass, summer flounder, blackfish, and more. Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2019 For the Lummi Nation, the orca, also know as the blackfish, are family members, their relatives under the sea. Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, 6 Aug. 2018 Cast your line off the jetty for blackfish, flounder, mackerel, and stripers. BostonGlobe.com, 2 May 2018 Famed for its flaky, white meat, blackfish are masters of both being lazy, and being the ultimate predator. Ben Raines | Braines@al.com, AL.com, 24 July 2017 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackfish was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near blackfish

Cite this Entry

“Blackfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackfish. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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