SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

needlefish

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noun nee·dle·fish \ ˈnē-dᵊl-ˌfish \

Definition of needlefish

1 :any of a family (Belonidae) of elongate carnivorous chiefly marine bony fishes that are silvery with blue or green backs and have long slender jaws and sharp teeth

2 :pipefish

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Recent Examples of needlefish from the Web

Translucent wafers of Korean fluke are wrapped in kelp to cure; sayori (needlefish) is slivered and marinated in soy; and tender lobes of rich uni are glazed with miso.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Anglers have been catching plenty of trout in the 20 to 24 inch range using rapalas, dick nites, needlefish, and various fly patterns.

— colorado parks & wildlife, The Denver Post, "Colorado fishing report for week of June 11, 2017," 11 June 2017

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

Illustration of needlefish

First Known Use of needlefish

1601

Learn More about needlefish

See words that rhyme with needlefish Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about needlefish

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up needlefish? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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