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 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 Meanwhile, the sicklefin lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) is a stocky, yellowish shark found in the same region, common on coral reefs as well as in shallow, sandy-bottom lagoons, and mangrove swamps. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 3 May 2022

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lemon shark was in 1942

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 29 Mar. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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