fillet

1 of 2

noun

fil·​let ˈfi-lət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
in sense 2b also
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
variants or less commonly filet
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
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 flute entry 1 sense 3) in a shaft

fillet

2 of 2

verb

fil·​let ˈfi-lət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
in sense 2 also
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfi-(ˌ)lā
filleted; filleting; fillets

transitive verb

1
: to bind, furnish, or adorn with or as if with a fillet
2
: to cut into fillets

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The challenge with salmon is the wildly varying thickness of a fillet, which, again drives home that advice to check the temp with a digital thermometer. Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Repeat coating and cooking process with remaining 6 fillets, allowing oil to reach 375°F in between each batch. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 May 2025
Verb
The consequence of bad relief pitching manifested itself in the postseason last year, when the New York Mets filleted Phillies relievers for 17 runs in 12 2/3 innings. Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Branzino is filleted tableside, giving Truva some white tablecloth flare. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fillet

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

derivative of fillet entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fillet was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fillet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fillet. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fillet

1 of 2 noun
fil·​let ˈfil-ət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
also
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfil-(ˌ)ā
variants also filet
fi-ˈlā How to pronounce fillet (audio)
ˈfil-(ˌ)ā
: a piece or slice of boneless meat or fish

fillet

2 of 2 verb
: to cut into fillets

Medical Definition

fillet

noun
fil·​let ˈfil-ət How to pronounce fillet (audio)
: a band of anatomical fibers
specifically : lemniscus

More from Merriam-Webster on fillet

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