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: 11 Apr 2018

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

Since Cape opened in March 2016, Gray, in partnership with head fishmonger Ehder Dominguez, has turned the shop into a destination for more than just fresh fillets.

— zan romanoff, latimes.com, "This Navy vet turned fishmonger is smoking and curing some of L.A.'s best sustainable seafood," 2 Apr. 2018
Place the salmon fillets in a baking pan and pour the marinade over the fish, turning to coat evenly.

— katie workman, Detroit Free Press, "Recipe: Rich, beautiful salmon complemented by citrus," 31 Mar. 2018
In fact, the menu at his school, Thomas’s Battersea, reads more like a five-star restaurant with options like lamb ragout with garlic and fresh herbs and freshly prepared salmon fillet with salsa verdi.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Kate Middleton Says Prince George & Princess Charlotte 'Really Enjoy Making' Pizza Dough Together," 23 Mar. 2018
Tilt skillet and spoon foaming butter over fillets for another minute.

— Bon Appetit, "Pan-Roasted Halibut with Herbed Corona Beans," 19 Mar. 2018
Top exports included paper products and ammunition cartridges, and top imports include frozen cod fillets.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Maine port sees increase in shipping traffic," 18 Mar. 2018
With a spoon, sprinkle chili powder mixture on each side of the fillets.

— for kroger, The Courier-Journal, "Meatless Meal for Lent," 12 Feb. 2018
Gently lift up the fillets and transfer them to serving plates.

— House Beautiful, "Red Snapper Veracruz-Style Recipe," 28 Aug. 2010
Over there, still-beating hearts are displayed on butchered fish fillets, showcasing the catch's freshness.

— jake emen, USA TODAY, "Discover Hong Kong street food in Kowloon," 22 Mar. 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

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

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

Some anglers simply nip the spines off with kitchen shears, then fillet as usual.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Sheepshead time on the Alabama coast," 28 Mar. 2018
Press both sides of each fish fillet into the pecan mixture.

— lindsay carlton, Fox News, "4 foods you may not realize are superfoods," 14 Mar. 2018
Think classic beef Wellington, Dover sole cooked on the bone and filleted in the kitchen and caviar, caviar, caviar.

— amy carr, chicagotribune.com, "Booth One's flashback Restaurant Week menu not flashy enough," 30 Jan. 2018
Brady filleted a Tennessee secondary that boasts nothing past Kevin Byard at safety and a young Adoree’ Jackson at corner.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "Tom Brady and the Patriots Easily Dismantle the Titans and Advance to AFC Championship Game," 13 Jan. 2018
Knife marks and charring on the bones suggest they were filleted and cooked.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Archaeologists find mysterious, 4,000-year-old dog sacrifices in Russia," 19 Nov. 2017
These fish need to be filleted and rinsed before eating.

— joe beddia, Bon Appetit, "Why Anchovies Should Be on Every Pizza," 17 Apr. 2017
Held to the rule’s new standards, the seafood companies that ship U.S. fish to fillet factories in China and elsewhere would have to account for its handling in ways that could explode their costs.

— lee van der voo, Slate Magazine, "Trump Hates Regulations. What About When They Save Jobs?," 19 June 2017
Break flesh of top fillet into large pieces and transfer to a platter.

— Bon Appetit, "Whole Grilled Salmon with Chanterelles," 19 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of fillet

see ¹fillet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

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

Learn More about fillet

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

Learn More about fillet

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