spearfish

noun spear·fish \ ˈspir-ˌfish \

Definition of spearfish

: any of several billfishes (genus Tetrapturus) having the anterior part of the first dorsal fin about as high as the body is deep

Recent Examples of spearfish from the Web

There, the ocean is filled with Pacific blue marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi, and spearfish.

— stephanie granada, Sunset, "10 Epic Fishing Trips in the West," 22 Jan. 2018
Twenty or more members of the Pulitzer clan rent a house to snorkel, spearfish, swim, picnic and trawl with their boat.

— linda marx, New York Times, "A Love of Adventure Leads to Love Near Home," 2 June 2017
Recent studies have shown that gelatinous animals feature prominently in the diets of spearfish and two different types of tuna.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Researchers Spot Giant, Deep-Sea Octopus Munching on an Unusual Snack," 31 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spearfish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of spearfish

First Known Use of spearfish

circa 1882

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

spearfish

verb

Definition of spearfish

spearfished; spearfishing; spearfishes

intransitive verb

: to fish with a spear

See spearfish defined for kids

Recent Examples of spearfish from the Web

Putin has cultivated something of a tough-guy image — photos of the bare-chested leader horseback riding, diving and spearfishing while on vacation in Siberia went viral.

— jane onyanga-omara, USA TODAY, "Putin personally launches four ballistic missiles: Kremlin," 27 Oct. 2017
A YouTuber who goes by the handle Over The Edge posted footage of himself spearfishing near Middle Sambo Reef off Boca Chica in early June with a buddy named Justyn.

— todd masson, NOLA.com, "Reef shark chomps spearfisherman's leg: Video," 14 Aug. 2017
The Encinitas resident was spearfishing in the waters west of Mexico’s Coronado Islands and had just speared the monster tuna.

— ernie cowan outdoors, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Man vs. tuna: Quite a tale to tell," 8 July 2017