sailfish
noun
sail·fish
ˈsāl-ˌfish 
: any of a genus (Istiophorus, especially I. platypterus) of billfishes having a very large dorsal fin
Examples of sailfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This reel is capable of subduing tuna, sharks, sailfish, marlin, and other blue-water species.
—
Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, sailfish, and marlin prove bountiful game.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 June 2023
The Get Lost fishing team won the first-place prize of $2,500 and a Naked Warrior trophy for catching and releasing four sailfish.
—Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 4 May 2021
There are plentiful big tuna in the lagoon right off shore, while a bit further out are blue and black marlin (the largest species) wahoo, sailfish, mahi mahi and giant trevally.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 4 May 2023
The sailfish is a large, blue-gray fish found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
The researchers captured footage of a 100-pound sailfish blitzing the surface of the ocean from a depth of 200 feet in pursuit of a small tuna.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 13 Feb. 2023
When flattened, their dorsal fin can help turn the sailfish into a torpedo that shoots through the water.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
While fishing off the coast of Florida, a 73-year-old-woman was injured by a sailfish.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
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Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
Farther out in the Gulf waters, offshore trophies such as tuna, kingfish, sailfish, and marlin prove bountiful game.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 June 2023
The Get Lost fishing team won the first-place prize of $2,500 and a Naked Warrior trophy for catching and releasing four sailfish.
—Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 4 May 2021
There are plentiful big tuna in the lagoon right off shore, while a bit further out are blue and black marlin (the largest species) wahoo, sailfish, mahi mahi and giant trevally.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 4 May 2023
The sailfish is a large, blue-gray fish found in the warmer waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
The researchers captured footage of a 100-pound sailfish blitzing the surface of the ocean from a depth of 200 feet in pursuit of a small tuna.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 13 Feb. 2023
When flattened, their dorsal fin can help turn the sailfish into a torpedo that shoots through the water.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
While fishing off the coast of Florida, a 73-year-old-woman was injured by a sailfish.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sailfish.' 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
1879, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sailfish
Cite this Entry
“Sailfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailfish. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
sailfish
noun
sail·fish
-ˌfish
: any of a genus of large sea fishes that are related to the swordfish and marlins and have long slender jaws and a very large fin like a sail on the back
More from Merriam-Webster on sailfish
Nglish: Translation of sailfish for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sailfish
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