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

Cod, halibut, and sea bass all work wonderfully as the starring protein. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024

And something about the pairing of a piece of Maine halibut with walnut vinaigrette and cranberry compote feels quintessentially New England. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2024

This halibut sandwich was given Nashville's spiciest finish. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2024

For the main course, lamb, duck and halibut dishes are available to order, and a range of dessert selections will end the meal. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024

For example, California sea lions forage in Pacific coastal waters from the Canadian border to Baja California and are accidentally caught by boats fishing for hake and halibut. —Heather Welch, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2024

Ask them to loin the halibut and give you the bones from the same fish, or do it yourself with a sharp knife. —Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024

André Atkinson, a fishing boat captain in Barrington, Nova Scotia, one of the regions expected to take the brunt of the storm, returned early from a halibut fishing trip on Saturday morning and moved his boat to a safer part of the harbor. —Meagan Campbell, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2023

His seasonal menu features mole verde, halibut en pipian, a sublime birria de res and an infladita with beef birria, cheese foam and arbol salsa. —Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 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.