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

The show, on display through November, will also feature the work of contemporary artist Marianne Nicolson, who examines the impact of commercial fisheries in British Columbia’s Indigenous communities. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

That water would dry up with shocking speed; by the ’80s, all the fisheries had shut down. —Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026

Fukushima prefecture tests thousands of pre-distribution samples every year and says all farm, fisheries and dairy products in stores are safe. —ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026

The Army Corps is now reassessing the project's environmental impact alongside scientists at NOAA's fisheries program and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and coming up with a plan to limit the damage. —Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 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