fil·let
| \ ˈfi-lət
, in sense 2b also fi-ˈlā, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
\
, in sense 2b also fi-ˈlā, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
\
variants:
or less commonly filet \
fi-ˈlā
, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
\
, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
\
Definition of fillet
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a ribbon or narrow strip of material used especially as a headband
2a
: a thin narrow strip of material
b
: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish
especially
: the tenderloin of beef
3a
: 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 flute entry 1 sense 3) in a shaft
fillet
verb
fil·let
| \ ˈfi-lət
, in sense 2 also fi-ˈlā, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā \
, in sense 2 also fi-ˈlā, ˈfi-(ˌ)lā \
filleted; filleting; fillets
Definition of fillet (Entry 2 of 2)
Examples of fillet in a Sentence
Noun
a juicy fillet of beef
Verb
He carefully filleted the fish with a sharp knife.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Wendy's Jalapeño Popper Chicken Sandwich includes the chain's spicy chicken fillet with creamy jalapeno cream cheese and six slices of jalapenos.
—
Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Wendy's announces Jalapeno Popper Chicken Sandwich, trolls McDonald's new chicken sandwiches," 18 Feb. 2021
That giant fillet comes topped with a mild queso sauce and pickled jalapeños and cucumbers.
—
Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, "Great Nashville hot chicken at San Antonio food truck Pete's Chicken Shack," 5 Feb. 2021
There should be an inch or so of wood all the way around the fillet.
—
Chuck Blount, ExpressNews.com, "Chuck’s Food Shack: How to grill your fish with cedar planks," 12 Oct. 2020
The company flies in as many as 800 seasonal workers to clean, fillet, package, freeze and can fish at its Alaska plants.
—
Paula Dobbyn, Anchorage Daily News, "Rat-infested dorms, contaminated drinking water and wage theft: lawsuit alleges nightmare conditions at Alaska seafood processing plants," 20 Nov. 2020
Add tilapia and saute 3 minutes for a 1/2-inch fillet.
—
Linda Gassenheimer, chicagotribune.com, "Quick Fix: Sweet and Sour Glazed Tilapia with Basmati Rice," 8 Dec. 2020
Researchers are studying the biology of these fillet bones to see whether they might one day be removed through breeding or genetic engineering.
—
Erik Stokstad, Science | AAAS, "New genetic tools will deliver improved farmed fish, oysters, and shrimp. Here’s what to expect," 19 Nov. 2020
Serve by ladling sauce onto the plate, placing fillet atop; garnish with tarragon leaves.
—
Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Lobster season debuts amid changing seafood industry," 28 Oct. 2020
Fishmongers at Harris Teeter, Whole Foods and other stores will debone, descale and fillet fish.
—
Washington Post, "How to get the most out of your supermarket butcher and fishmonger," 6 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Simply fillet the meat off the thighbone and cut away the knuckle that’s attached to the meat.
—
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, "How to Butcher and Cook Wild Turkey Thighs and Drumsticks," 6 May 2020
Instead of filleting and moving on, take the time to explain each part and its function.
—
Popular Science, "Eleven outdoor skills to teach your kids—or yourself," 1 Apr. 2020
But for those specifically seeking out fried fish: St. Paul fries a raft of it, including cod in crunchy Schlitz beer batter, and an exceptionally moist and meaty breaded walleye fillet.
—
Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "9 Milwaukee fish fries that will make Lent something special," 24 Feb. 2020
Then fillet and debone the fish, and remove the skin.
—
Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, "How to Cook Lake Trout Chowder," 28 Apr. 2020
Instead of filleting and moving on, take the time to explain each part and its function.
—
Popular Science, "Eleven outdoor skills to teach your kids—or yourself," 1 Apr. 2020
Instead of filleting and moving on, take the time to explain each part and its function.
—
Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, "11 Outdoor Skills You Can Teach Your Child," 24 Mar. 2020
To serve, pour the sauce onto a plate and lay a walleye fillet on top.
—
Jamie Carlson, Outdoor Life, "5 Walleye Recipes That Don’t Involve Frying," 12 Feb. 2020
It is surgically filleted Wagyu beef and bright bags of shrimp chips.
—
Los Angeles Times, "We’re big fans of these 11 supermarkets," 26 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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Last Updated
24 Feb 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Fillet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fillet. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.
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More Definitions for fillet
fillet
noun
English Language Learners Definition of fillet
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish
fillet
verb
English Language Learners Definition of fillet (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cut (meat or fish) into fillets
See the full definition for fillet in the English Language Learners Dictionary
fillet
noun
fil·let
| \ ˈfi-lət
, fi-ˈlā \
, fi-ˈlā \
Kids Definition of fillet
: a piece of boneless meat or fish
fillet
noun
fil·let
| \ ˈfil-ət
\
\
Medical Definition of fillet
: a band of anatomical fibers
specifically
: lemniscus
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Time Traveler for fillet
The first known use of fillet was in the 14th century
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