fishery

noun

fish·​ery ˈfi-shə-rē 

plural fisheries

1

: the occupation, industry, or season of taking fish or other sea animals (such as sponges, shrimp, or seals) : fishing

2

: a place for catching fish or taking other sea animals

3

: a fishing establishment

also : its fishermen

4

: the legal right to take fish at a particular place or in particular waters

5

: the technology of fishery

—usually used in plural

Examples of fishery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hamel’s fish was number 27 this winter, and the fishery was suspended soon after his catch to keep the quota from being surpassed. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 5 Feb. 2026

Plans include transforming the quarry pond into an urban fishery — similar to one at Family Park in western Sioux Falls — and potentially adding adventure-style recreation features such as zip lines. —Vanessa Carlson Bender, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026

In 1992, the federal government announced the closure of Newfoundland’s inland northern cod fishery. —Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026

Samitt was a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries observer, the Coast Guard said. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

fishery

noun

fish·​ery ˈfish-(ə-)rē 

plural fisheries

1

: the activity or business of fishing

2

: a place or establishment for catching fish