fillet

play

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\

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

The salmon was another plus, with an 8-ounce center-cut fillet resting on a dynamic goat-cheese risotto.

— suzanne loudermilk, baltimoresun.com, "Delta Hotels' Poe-inspired TellTale restaurant doesn't miss a beat," 24 Aug. 2017
Top with salmon fillet cut into 3 segments, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "Salmon dish is a delicious reminder of happy days in Paris," 22 Aug. 2017
Off heat, stir in 3 anchovy fillets, chopped, and 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "Wines' bright flavors match summery spaghetti recipe," 16 Aug. 2017
Only the fillet portion of the fish should be consumed, and all other parts should be discarded.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Stay out of Brownlee Reservoir this weekend. Officials say the water is a health hazard.," 4 Aug. 2017
Dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar, with a touch of garlic, this salad is draped with anchovy fillets, the perfect counterpoint to the tomatoes’ sweetness.

— david tanis, New York Times, "A Cool Solution for Hot Summer Nights," 4 Aug. 2017
But the result is a delectable salmon fillet fit for serving to guests or celebrating something special.

— maya wilson, Alaska Dispatch News, "Salmon broiled with birch syrup glaze combines 2 of the most beautiful Alaska ingredients," 14 July 2017
Brush the spread over the salmon fillets on all sides. 3.

— Philly.com, "Grilled Salmon with Dill," 29 June 2017
Brush the spread over the salmon fillets on all sides. 3.

— Philly.com, "Grilled Salmon with Dill," 29 June 2017

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

play

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

Ginger Glazed Salmon on a Stick Makes 4 salmon sticks 2 tablespoons Ginger Glaze (see below) 1/2 pound fillet salmon 1 teaspoon coarse salt 2 tablespoons melted butter, or olive oil Prepare glaze and set it aside.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "A twist to Labor Day grilling party menus, from cocktails to dessert," 30 Aug. 2017
Top fillet with 1 tablespoon butter, 3 tarragon leaves, 1 portion minced shallot and 1 tablespoon wine.

— mary g. pepitone, kansascity, "Salmon dish is a delicious reminder of happy days in Paris," 22 Aug. 2017
An even more astonishing cobia fillet, at once meaty and delicate, bathes in a mild, gently sweet sauce scented by curry leaf and stained by tumeric that's offset by crunchy bitter-melon chips—

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Proxi takes diners around the world in 32 dishes," 15 Aug. 2017
And for the first time robots also are deboning and filleting cod on Norwegian processing lines.

— laine welch, Alaska Dispatch News, "Robots are likely on their way into Alaska fish-processing plants," 8 July 2017
Had the legislation not comported with reconciliation provisions, the House may have been forced to fillet major portions of the bill – significantly changing the substance of the legislation – and then ship the package to the Senate.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "Capitol Attitude: Just good enough," 25 May 2017
Lionfish have venomous spines, so use care when filleting so that you don't get stuck, but the meat does not have poison in it and is often eaten and served in restaurants.

— katie atkins, miamiherald, "These women caught more than 900 lionfish in 12 hours off the Florida coast," 25 May 2017
The upscale Orange Beach restaurant is my destination for dinner, where husband-and-wife duo Leck and Jana Lilayuva serve up to a dozen types of a fresh fish daily — all hand-filleted by Leck himself — along with steaks and sushi.

— celestina blok, star-telegram.com, "Coastal Alabama serves up Southern hospitality and white sand for miles," 3 May 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