lionfish

noun

li·​on·​fish ˈlī-ən-ˌfish How to pronounce lionfish (audio)
: any of several scorpaenid fishes (genus Pterois) of the Indian Ocean and the tropical Pacific that are brilliantly striped and barred with elongated fins and venomous dorsal spines

Examples of lionfish in a Sentence

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Some of the species listed on the website include lionfish, garden snail, armored catfish, crayfish and common carp. Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2026 To put that into perspective, [participants] removed roughly 25,000 lionfish during this two-day derby, and a little more than 5,000 in the pre-derby that started in February. Rayna O'Nan, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026 Scientists tested lionfish from 74 locations in the Caribbean and found that less than one percent contained high levels of ciguatera. Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026 The Spanish chef’s fine-dining concept is an homage to the glories of the world’s oceans, with a strong emphasis on the bounty of the local waters that includes lionfish, Mahi Mahi, and an entire menu section devoted entirely to various renditions of conch. Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lionfish

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lionfish was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Lionfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lionfish. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.

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