fillet

noun fil·let \ ˈfi-lət , in sense 2b also fi-ˈlā , ˈfi-(ˌ)lā \

variants: or less commonly filet play \fi-ˈlā, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā\

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: fillet in a Sentence

Definition of fillet

1 : a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband

2 a : a thin narrow strip of material

b : a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish; especially : the tenderloin of beef

3 a : a concave junction formed where two surfaces meet (as at an angle)

b : a strip that gives a rounded appearance to such a junction; also : a strip to reinforce the corner where two surfaces meet

4 : a narrow flat architectural member:

a : a flat molding separating others

b : the space between two flutings (see ¹flute 3) in a shaft

See fillet defined for English-language learners

See fillet defined for kids

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

a juicy fillet of beef

Recent Examples of fillet from the Web

Keep a close eye on fillets, checking after 8 minutes.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Just in time for mango season: Bahia Mar's baked salmon recipe," 8 June 2018
Add salmon fillets skin-side down and let cook for 3 minutes, until the skin is crisp.

— yotam ottolenghi, sacbee, "Salmon – want it easy, or want it epic?," 5 June 2018
Coat each fillet in egg, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.

— susan nicholson, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 16 Feb. 2018
Remove fillets from fryer and place on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "How to fry catfish? 4 ingredients; no overthinking," 14 Feb. 2018
In 3-quart baking dish, arrange flounder fillets in single layer; season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

— the good housekeeping test kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Zesty Lemon-Herb Baked Flounder," 24 Feb. 2017
In this case, it’s suan cai yu, a spicy and sour soup of small curls of fish fillet in a broth laden with Sichuan peppercorns, dried chile peppers, and pickled vegetables.

— jim thurman, Los Angeles Magazine, "A China Chain’s Pricey Bowls of Sauerkraut Fish Soup Have Landed in the SGV," 24 May 2018
Over tables laid with steely gray-colored linens, guests dined on a supper of bass fillets artfully adorned with squash blossoms.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Artists Turned Out by the Dozen for the Whitney Museum’s Gala and Studio Party," 23 May 2018
On bottoms, layer red peppers, lettuce and provolone; top each with a catfish fillet, cover with roll tops and serve.

— susan nicholson, ajc, "7 Day Menu Planner," 16 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of fillet

Middle English filet, from Anglo-French, diminutive of fil thread, from Latin filum — more at file

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

fillet

verb fil·let \ ˈfi-lət , in sense 2 also fi-ˈlā , ˈfi-(ˌ)lā \

Definition of fillet

filleted; filleting; fillets

transitive verb

1 : to bind, furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet

2 : to cut into fillets

See fillet defined for English-language learners

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

He carefully filleted the fish with a sharp knife.

Recent Examples of fillet from the Web

The aircraft are already parked in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, where they will be filleted over the next two years by a specialist company and sold in parts.

— tom lavell, Bloomberg.com, "Two Unwanted A380s Are Moving Closer to the Scrapheap," 5 June 2018
The sushi festival hosted by Fanoomies Entertainment advertises tuna filleting demonstrations, door prizes and all-you-can eat Japanese food for just $20 as well as VIP packages that stretch up to $300.

— benjy egel, sacbee, "Sushi Fest has thousands of interested foodies. But some fear the event is fake," 31 May 2018
Fish are safe to eat as long as the flesh (only) is filleted away from the skin and washed.

— bill monroe, OregonLive.com, "Free-Fishing weekend approaches in Oregon," 25 May 2018
The fish has to be handled carefully when caught and when filleted, but for customers in a restaurant or at the seafood counter of their local grocery, lionfish is no more of a threat than salmon or flounder or cod.

— ben lowy, Smithsonian, "The Lionfish Have Invaded, But a Ragtag Army of Divers and Chefs Are Fighting Back," 23 May 2018
El Piquin offers chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas, or try the fish fillet ranchero or fish tacos.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "Tortas, huaraches and green sauce at a little cafe in Grapevine | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 May 2018
After mate James Baker filleted all the fish, Utter invited everyone to Shenanigans Eastside to enjoy the day’s catch.

— steve waters, miamiherald, "Even with an unexpected catch, fishing in South Florida will give you a delicious meal | Miami Herald," 4 May 2018
The menu bridges Wisconsin and NOLA in places — gentle Creole seasoning, for instance, on a walleye fillet ($24.95) and lamb loin ($27.95) that was generously portioned but a touch dry.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New Orleans meets supper club at Edgewater in Pewaukee," 17 Apr. 2018
Firefighters were on site to help skin and fillet fish that were caught by residents who wanted to take their catch home for dinner.

— patricia dillon, Houston Chronicle, "Creekwood Fishing Derby a huge success," 17 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fillet

see ¹fillet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

FILLET Defined for English Language Learners

fillet

noun

Definition of fillet for English Language Learners

: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

fillet

verb

Definition of fillet for English Language Learners

: to cut (meat or fish) into fillets

FILLET Defined for Kids

fillet

noun fil·let \ ˈfi-lət , fi-ˈlā \

Definition of fillet for Students

: a piece of boneless meat or fish

Medical Dictionary

fillet

noun fil·let \ ˈfil-ət \

medical Definition of fillet

: a band of anatomical fibers; specifically : lemniscus

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See words that rhyme with fillet Spanish Central: Translation of fillet Nglish: Translation of fillet for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fillet

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fillet

Definition of fillet

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fillet from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fillet

Other Food Terms

fillet

Definition of fillet

Examples of fillet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fillet from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fillet

Other Food Terms

FILLET Defined for English Language Learners

fillet

Definition of fillet for English Language Learners

fillet

Definition of fillet for English Language Learners

FILLET Defined for Kids

fillet

Definition of fillet for Students

Medical Dictionary

fillet

medical Definition of fillet

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