lumpfish

noun

lump·​fish ˈləmp-ˌfish How to pronounce lumpfish (audio)
: a northern Atlantic usually greenish fish (Cyclopterus lumpus of the family Cyclopteridae) having rows of nodules on the body and eggs used as a caviar

Examples of lumpfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What color is a lumpfish? New York Times, 19 July 2022 The researchers plan on testing a smaller and lighter version in the Icelandic lumpfish fishery soon. New York Times, 10 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lumpfish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English lump lumpfish (probably from Dutch lomp blenny, loach) + English fish

First Known Use

circa 1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lumpfish was circa 1620

Dictionary Entries Near lumpfish

Cite this Entry

“Lumpfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lumpfish. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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