halibut

noun

hal·​i·​but ˈha-lə-bət 

 also  ˈhä-

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

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.

Examples of halibut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next to the meat and produce sections, fresh shrimp for sale swim next to lobster, halibut and abalone. —Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 23 July 2024

This year, owner Adolfo Gomez is offering a three-course, $45 prix fixe that features a housemade chorizo appetizer, entree choices of New York steak or halibut or vegan enchiladas. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 9 July 2024

Afterwards, guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner of filet mignon, halibut and butternut squash ravioli. —Emily Strohm, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024

Every year, ocean trawlers fishing primarily for pollock catch, kill, and discard about 141 million pounds of salmon, halibut, and other species, an extraordinarily wasteful practice that Indigenous people and other groups in Alaska have been rallying against. —Paige Vega, Vox, 3 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

halibut

noun

hal·​i·​but ˈhal-ə-bət 

ˈhäl-

plural halibut also halibuts

: either of two marine food fishes of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans that are the largest flatfishes reaching several hundred pounds

Etymology

Middle English halybutte, literally, "holy flatfish," from haly "holy" and butte "flatfish"; so called from the fact it was regularly eaten on holy days

Word Origin

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. Many of the flatfish are good to eat, and the largest of the flatfish got its name because it was popular as food. 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.