kingfish

noun

king·​fish ˈkiŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce kingfish (audio)
1
: any of several marine croakers (family Sciaenidae): such as
a
: any of three fishes (Menticirrhus americanus, M. littoralis, and M. saxatilis) of shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean
b
: a small silvery food and sport fish (Genyonemus lineatus) of inshore waters especially of California

called also white croaker

2
3
: an undisputed master in an area or group

Examples of kingfish in a Sentence

as a kingfish in the state's political circles, he was accustomed to being courted by presidential hopefuls
Recent Examples on the Web Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, sailfish, and marlin prove bountiful game. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 The book has chapters on sharks, tunas, dolphin, sailfish, kingfish, grouper, tarpon and snook. Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Besides the dolphins, Venere caught kingfish and sailfish. Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Fish is both a staple and delicacy, the warm waters giving the island rich stocks of kingfish, lobster and red snapper. Dominic Kocur, theweek, 22 Jan. 2024 Is warming water attracting more southern species like kingfish to places like Cape Cod? Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 20 Sep. 2023 The team just came off a big victory by taking the Clearwater Pro Kingfish tournament with a 55.6-pound kingfish and then won the open with a 51.55-pound kingfish to put them in the lead for the Kingfish Mayhem Pro Series circuit. Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 17 June 2021 The Dana Katz Lady Angler award went to Rebecca Schenck, of Cocoa Beach, for reeling in her winning kingfish catch. Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 4 May 2021 The young anglers earned $7,500 and a trophy while adding cash prizes for the second heaviest kingfish at 33.2 pounds ($500) and the third heaviest tuna catch at 26.2 pounds ($250). Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 4 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kingfish.' 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

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingfish was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near kingfish

Cite this Entry

“Kingfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingfish. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kingfish

noun
king·​fish ˈkiŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce kingfish (audio)
: any of various sea fishes (as a king mackerel)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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