halibut

noun hal·i·but \ ˈha-lə-bət also ˈhä- \

Definition of halibut

plural halibut also halibuts

:any of several marine flatfishes (especially Hippoglossus hippoglossus of the Atlantic and H. stenolepis of the Pacific) that are widely used for food and include some of the largest bony fishes

See halibut defined for English-language learners

See halibut defined for kids

Recent Examples of halibut from the Web

California Dawn hammered the bass and pulled some halibut inside the Bay.

— sacbee, "Fishing line: Here come the salmon," 28 Aug. 2017
August’s menu is an island theme featuring ahi tuna, tostones with pineapple salsa, halibut with ginger sauce, jerk crab cakes and seared scallops, and bananas foster crepes with rum pudding.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "Fond to launch original line of food products 'to make entertaining easy, elegant'," 22 Aug. 2017
Expect everything from whole mackerel to live Santa Barbara box crab to giant portions of halibut.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
The research, which focused on charter fishing spots around Homer and Sitka, found that moving to different areas also allowed some boats to target salmon, rockfish and lingcod in addition to halibut.

— annie zak, Alaska Dispatch News, "More Alaska halibut charters are moving into new waters and targeting multiple species. Here’s why.," 25 June 2017
More and more orcas are being spotted in the Bering Sea, and now the killer whales appear to be targeting their lines, stripping clean their hooks and stealing black cod and halibut from specific boats.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "Crafty Killer Whales Are Harassing Alaskan Fishing Boats," 23 June 2017
Popular fare includes the charcuterie and cheese tray, flatbreads, grass fed beef burgers, and the catch of the day, which recently was halibut.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "New restaurant expands 'Bleu family' in West Dundee," 13 June 2017
Buttery halibut received a paella-like treatment with an accompanying pile of saffron jasmine rice, clams and scallops along with a chorizo vinaigrette.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First bite: Disney's Citricos," 13 June 2017
Happy Hooker and California Dawn whacked the halibut with a keeper per person plus some bass.

— sacbee, sacbee.com, "Fishing report: Week of May 29," 30 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'halibut.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Among the different kinds of fish found in the world’s oceans is a group called the flatfish. Flatfish are well named, for they have flattened bodies with both eyes on the upper side of the head. In Middle English the word for flatfish was butte. During the Middle Ages, fish was often eaten on holy days in place of meat. The most popular fish for the holy days was the largest variety of flatfish, or “butte.” Thus, this particular fish came to be called in Middle English halybutte, meaning literally “holy flatfish,” from haly, a form of holy, and butte. In modern English the spelling has been changed to halibut.

Origin and Etymology of halibut

Middle English halybutte, from haly, holy holy + butte flatfish, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German but; from its being eaten on holy days

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

HALIBUT Defined for English Language Learners

halibut

noun

Definition of halibut for English Language Learners

: a large fish of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that is often eaten as food

HALIBUT Defined for Kids

halibut

noun hal·i·but \ ˈha-lə-bət \

Definition of halibut for Students

plural halibut or halibuts

:a very large saltwater flatfish often used for food

Learn More about halibut

Spanish Central: Translation of halibut Nglish: Translation of halibut for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about halibut

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up halibut? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

halibut

Definition of halibut

Recent Examples of halibut from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of halibut

HALIBUT Defined for English Language Learners

halibut

Definition of halibut for English Language Learners

HALIBUT Defined for Kids

halibut

Definition of halibut for Students

Learn More about halibut

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

8 Words That Put One Over on You

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066

halibut

Definition of halibut

Explore Merriam-Webster

Recent Examples of halibut from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of halibut

HALIBUT Defined for English Language Learners

halibut

Definition of halibut for English Language Learners

HALIBUT Defined for Kids

halibut

Definition of halibut for Students

Learn More about halibut

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Words for Trickery and Deception

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

Words of the Year: 1066