minnow

noun min·now \ ˈmi-(ˌ)nō \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of minnow

plural minnows also minnow

1 a : a small cyprinid, killifish, or topminnow

b : any of various small fish that are less than a designated size and are not game fish

2 : a live or artificial minnow used as bait

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Recent Examples of minnow from the Web

For Boston, the 2026 World Cup is likely to bring just enough tourists to make traffic even worse, for 0-0 draws between soccer minnows.

— cameron smith, BostonGlobe.com, "Should we let Robert Kraft bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Boston?," 5 June 2018
Not all the wrinkles work, including a subplot involving a young nephew (Nicholas Braun) who is essentially cast in the role of minnow among the sharks, trying to claim a piece of his birthright.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Succession' spins media dynasty into juicy HBO drama," 31 May 2018
After dominating their group in the second round, including a victory over the United Arab Emirates alongside 7-0 and 10-0 victories over minnows Timor-Leste, Saudi Arabia advanced to the third and final round of qualification.

— SI.com, "2018 FIFA World Cup Team Preview: Analysing Saudi Arabia's Chances at the Tournament," 30 May 2018
He was told his little brother had slipped while setting a minnow trap.

— chris graves, Cincinnati.com, "Pike County: Death in the foothills," 15 May 2018
Once the habitat is placed, the league plans to stock the lake with 1,000 blue gill, 1,000 catfish and 20 pounds of flat head minnows.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Sinking a boat, intentionally: Volunteers establish fish habitat in Griffith lake," 7 May 2018
Fresh shad is all but over in Stockton-area shops due to the cold water, and the sales of medium to large minnows have tapered off as well in response to a slowdown in the crappie bite in the south Delta.

— sacbee, "Fishing line: Trout action improves near Folsom Dam," 9 Jan. 2018
In New Mexico, stretches of the Rio Grande — another one of North America’s longest rivers — have already gone dry as biologists have been forced to scoop up as many endangered Rio Grande silvery minnows as possible so they can be moved upstream.

— Washington Post, "Experts: ‘Alarming’ drought conditions hit US Southwest," 23 May 2018
The 35-year-old right-back suffered the injury playing in Tuesday's French Cup final against Les Herbiers, coming off four minutes from the end as PSG beat the minnows 2-0.

— afp, chicagotribune.com, "Dani Alves World Cup presence at risk after suffering knee injury," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minnow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of minnow

Middle English menawe; akin to Old English myne minnow, Old High German munewa, a kind of fish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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MINNOW Defined for English Language Learners

minnow

noun

Definition of minnow for English Language Learners

: a very small fish that is often used as bait to catch larger fish

MINNOW Defined for Kids

minnow

noun min·now \ ˈmi-nō \

Definition of minnow for Students

1 : a small freshwater fish (as a shiner) related to the carp

2 : a fish that looks like a true minnow

Learn More about minnow

See words that rhyme with minnow Spanish Central: Translation of minnow Nglish: Translation of minnow for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about minnow

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