gillnet

1 of 2

verb

gill·​net ˈgil-ˌnet How to pronounce gillnet (audio)
gillnetted; gillnetting; gillnets

transitive verb

: to catch (fish) with a gill net

gill net

2 of 2

noun

: a flat net suspended vertically in the water with meshes that allow the head of a fish to pass but entangle the gills upon withdrawal

Examples of gillnet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Many sharks end up as bycatch when long lines and gill nets unintentionally catch them. Amy Chillag, CNN, 28 June 2024 The whale is not the same animal that was entangled in a gill net off the coast of San Francisco two weeks ago, according to the Marine Mammal Center. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024 There are seals ensnared in gill nets, plastic bags, ropes, a metal kitchen strainer, bands of cling wrap, packaging straps, thick shark fishing wire, steel cables, bungee cords, plastic straps from hard hats, and miles of fishing line around their necks, jaws, snouts and mouths. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024 California is currently acting on this issue by helping fishermen phase out use of large-mesh drift gill nets in state waters. Heather Welch, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gillnet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gillnet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gillnet was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near gillnet

Cite this Entry

“Gillnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gillnet. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

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