lateral line

noun

: a canal along the side of a fish containing pores that open into tubes supplied with sense organs sensitive to low vibrations

also : one of these tubes or sense organs

Examples of lateral line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier experiments had found iron particles in the trout’s olfactory nerves, as well as in the lateral line (the long stretch of motion-sensing nerves down the fish’s side), the inner ear, and even the cornea. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 July 2012

The lateral line runs the length of the fish’s body and is connected to receptors in the fish’s skin to detect movements in the surrounding water. —Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

But after reconstructing the bones, Lovelace noticed indications of a lateral line organ, part of the sensory apparatus that amphibians use to react to changes in their aquatic environment. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Lures such as spinners that produce high vibration can be felt by a pike’s lateral line from a great distance. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024

Whereas largemouths have one line of large dark blotches along their lateral lines, smallmouth have more vertical bars, often with far more additional markings along their bellies and backs. —Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024

Hire a full suite of inspectors: roof, chimney, termite, foundation, sewer lateral line and the whole-house general. —Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024

Thanks to a bass’s lateral lines, a vibrating jig is an easy bait for the fish to detect in the water. —Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 12 Oct. 2023

But on land the lateral line system was useless. —David George Haskell, Wired, 8 Mar. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lateral line

• aconitine
• adamantine
• anopheline
• bromocriptine
• chlorhexidine
• clomipramine
• creatinine
• desipramine
• guanethidine
• heterodyne
• imipramine
• meperidine