shad

noun

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
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In the report, the state said the dead fish species included black and striped bass, bullhead, catfish, rainbow trout, shad, sunfish, yellow perch, and minnows. Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 25 June 2026 The American shad spends much of its adult life in the Atlantic Ocean but returns to the freshwater rivers in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay to spawn. Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026 Where the rhythm of the seasons — the shad running, the oysters plump and cold in winter, the grasses greening in spring — felt as reliable as a clock. Serena C. McIlwain, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2026 Evans was pitching a cut shad bait using a Rapala Rod paired with a Shimano reel spooled with 30-pound Stren line. Ken Perrotte, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for shad

Word History

Etymology

Middle English *shad, from Old English sceadd

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shad was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Shad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shad. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

Kids 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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