shoaled; shoaling; shoals
: to become shallow
1
: to come to a shallow or less deep part of
2
: to cause to become shallow or less deep
Examples of shoal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Frese noted that this coloration pattern may indicate a shoaling behavior, in which fish gather in loose social groups.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
These handsome shoaling fish have brilliant black and white vertical stripes.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
They were designed to ferry enormous loads in their holds, up and down the Thames and its nearby rivers and estuaries, in shallow, shoaling waters, subject to notorious tides and nervous wind.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for shoal
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Verb
Raja Ampat, Indonesia Raja Ampat is an Indonesian archipelago made up of 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals off the northwest tip of New Guinea.
—Jasmine Ting, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
Frese noted that this coloration pattern may indicate a shoaling behavior, in which fish gather in loose social groups.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
These handsome shoaling fish have brilliant black and white vertical stripes.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
They were designed to ferry enormous loads in their holds, up and down the Thames and its nearby rivers and estuaries, in shallow, shoaling waters, subject to notorious tides and nervous wind.
—William Booth, Washington Post, 24 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for shoal
Cite this Entry
“Shoal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shoal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shoal
1 of 3 adjective
: shallow entry 1 sense 1
shoal water
shoal
2 of 3 noun1
: a place where a sea, lake, or river is shallow
2
: a sandbank or sandbar just below the surface of the water
shoal
3 of 3 noun
: school entry 3
a shoal of pilot fish
Etymology
Adjective
Old English sceald "shallow"
Noun
Old English scolu "great number"
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