salmon

noun

salm·​on ˈsa-mən 

plural salmon also salmons

1

a

: a large anadromous salmonid fish (Salmo salar) of the North Atlantic noted as a game and food fish

called also Atlantic salmon

b

: any of various anadromous salmonid fishes other than the salmon

especially : pacific salmon

c

: a fish (such as a barramundi) resembling a salmon

2

: the variable color of salmon's flesh averaging a strong yellowish pink

Examples of salmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is because fish—particularly fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and trout—are full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. — Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 6 Aug. 2026

Fatty fish like salmon, are chock-full of heart-healthy unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026

At the meat counter, people can browse an assortment of cuts, from beef honeycomb tripe to pork neck bones, marinated chicken legs, chorizo, scallops, shrimp, whole snapper, salmon steaks and catfish fillets. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Lightly brush the salmon fillets with the mustard and top with the panko/Parmesan mixture, pressing down lightly to adhere. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English samon, from Anglo-French salmon, samon, from Latin salmon-, salmo

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing salmon

• Atlantic salmon
• black salmon
• chinook salmon
• chum salmon
• jack salmon
• king salmon
• Pacific salmon
• pink salmon
• red salmon
• salmon pink
• silver salmon
• sockeye salmon

Rhymes for salmon

• famine
• gammon
• mammon
• backgammon
• examen
• examine
• glutamine
• reexamine

Kids Definition

salmon

noun

salm·​on ˈsam-ən 

plural salmon also salmons

1

: any of various large food and game fishes that are related to the trouts, have reddish or pinkish flesh, live in oceans or large lakes, and swim up rivers or streams to deposit or fertilize eggs: as

a

: one of the northern Atlantic that does not die after breeding

called also Atlantic salmon

b

: any of several fishes (as the Chinook salmon) of the northern Pacific that usually die after breeding

called also Pacific salmon

2

: salmon pink

Geographical Definition

Salmon

geographical name

Salm·​on ˈsa-mən 

river 420 miles (676 kilometers) long in central Idaho flowing into the Snake River