plural shad
: any of several fishes (especially genus Alosa) of the shad family that have a relatively deep body and are anadromous and that include some important food fishes of Europe and North America
Examples of shad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There, it was successfully utilized to help spawning American shad and blueback herring bypass a spillway located between Lake Marion and the Santee River.
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New Atlas, 12 May 2025
The relentless pursuit of shad: Each spring, one family and a group of volunteers haul the bony, oily fish from the Delaware River in a seasonal ritual that honors their forebears.
—James Barron, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
In the waning days of winter, a particular species of fish ill-suited for the Minnesota cold — the gizzard shad — is prone toward going belly-up on the Mississippi in the southern part of the state.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
Video But thanks to state and federal efforts, the water quality has been greatly improved, to the benefit of all, including the shad.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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New Atlas, 12 May 2025
The relentless pursuit of shad: Each spring, one family and a group of volunteers haul the bony, oily fish from the Delaware River in a seasonal ritual that honors their forebears.
—James Barron, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
In the waning days of winter, a particular species of fish ill-suited for the Minnesota cold — the gizzard shad — is prone toward going belly-up on the Mississippi in the southern part of the state.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025
Video But thanks to state and federal efforts, the water quality has been greatly improved, to the benefit of all, including the shad.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shad
Cite this Entry
“Shad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shad. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shad
noun
plural shad
: any of several sea fishes that are related to the herrings, swim up rivers to lay or fertilize eggs, and include important food fishes
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