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lemon shark
noun
: a medium-sized requiem shark (Negaprion brevirostris) of warm usually inshore waters that is yellowish brown to gray above with yellow or greenish sides, often congregates in groups, and is usually harmless to humans but may attack if provoked
Examples of lemon shark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The fish kill so far has impacted more than 20 species, from silver mullet to tarpon, snook, mangrove snappers and even lemon sharks.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
The sawfish deaths are coinciding with a larger fish kill first noticed in November in the waters off Big Pine Key through Key West that’s so far impacted more than 20 species, from silver mullet to tarpon, snook, mangrove snappers and even lemon sharks.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2024
At dusk, several dozen lemon sharks rose from the depths and surround the dive boat.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
From a lemon shark sharing a toothy grin at dusk, to a green-blue mahi-mahi ambushing sardines, the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) Awards showcase the stunning beauty and diversity of our world’s oceans.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024
At dusk, several dozen lemon sharks rose from the depths and surrounded the dive boat.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2024
Small lemon sharks can be especially plaguing to flats fishermen chasing bonefish, permit, and tarpon in extremely shallow water.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 26 July 2023
No fatalities were reported in the next five species of biting sharks: blacktip reef shark, nurse shark, spinner shark, the bronze whaler and the lemon shark, according to the file.
—Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
In fact, lemon sharks are just one of 28 species protected by the Sunshine State; other species include tiger sharks (Galeocerdo genus), mako sharks (both Isurus species), whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), and white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias).
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lemon shark.' 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
1942, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lemon shark
Cite this Entry
“Lemon shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lemon%20shark. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
lemon shark
noun
: a dangerous medium-sized shark of warm waters that is yellowish brown to gray above with yellow or greenish sides
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