To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈshad 
\
\ plural shad
Definition of shad
: any of several fishes (especially genus Alosa) of the herring family that differ from the typical herrings (genus Clupeus) in having a relatively deep body and in being anadromous and that include some important food fishes of Europe and North America
Examples of shad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web In-line spinners and small spoons are good choices, as well as smaller shad-colored, shallow-running diving plugs.
—
cleveland, "Lake Erie charter fishing to resume in Ohio on May 12 with restrictions: Fishing Report," 30 Apr. 2020 Stripers are on the move up the Sipsey River, Ryan Creek and Brushy Creek—slow troll live shad to get the big ones.
—
Frank Sargeant, al, "Friday Fishing Report: Get ready for Bassmaster Classic and related expo in Birmingham," 6 Mar. 2020 When the lake turns over in the fall, the result is that the fish can emerge in the top 20 or 30 feet, often chasing shad on the surface, within close range of eagles, ospreys and anglers.
—
Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Fall at Shasta Lakes brings more wildlife than visitors," 21 Sep. 2019 At Lewis Smith, the striped bass run up the creeks has peaked, but there are still lots of fish in the upper Sipsey River as well as in Brushy Creek and Ryan Creek—catch them on live shad or on topwaters or soft plastic swimbaits.
—
Frank Sargeant, al, "Friday Fishing Report," 10 Apr. 2020 There are a number of websites that provide information on how to identify juvenile Asian carp from native species such as shad and herring.
—
Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, "These 8 Aquatic Invasive Species are Threatening Fisheries Across the U.S.," 7 Feb. 2020 The bridge is also a great feeding area, often stacked solid with shad anytime there’s current flowing.
—
Frank Sargeant, al, "Lessons from the Bassmaster Classic," 11 Mar. 2020 Odds are most favorable during extended periods of cold weather that chill the water and cause the fish to concentrate in deep water, often around pods of shad.
—
Matt Williams, Dallas News, "Big fish story: Local guide has a knack for finding whoppers," 14 Mar. 2020 Juvenile Asian carp have been mistakenly sold as shiners or shad minnows.
—
Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, "These 8 Aquatic Invasive Species are Threatening Fisheries Across the U.S.," 7 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for shad
shad
noun\ ˈshad \
\ plural shad
Kids Definition of shad
: a silvery ocean fish that swims up rivers to lay or fertilize eggs and is often used for food
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on shad
What made you want to look up shad? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share shad
Time Traveler for shad
The first known use of shad was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century