squid

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural squid or squids
: any of an order (Teuthoidea) of cephalopods having eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles, a long tapered body, a caudal fin on each side, and usually a slender internal chitinous support

squid

2 of 3

verb

squidded; squidding

intransitive verb

: to fish with or for squid

SQUID

3 of 3

noun (2)

: an instrument for detecting and measuring very weak magnetic fields

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Penguins and humpbacks eat krill, but so do skuas, squid, fur seals, and crabeater seals. Craig Welch, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023 His dishes are classic Nikkei with local ingredients, such as sea bass ceviche with fried squid, tuna tiradito with leche de tigre, and Noia cockles with rococo (pepper) meunière. Ann Abel, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 To pepare the squid: Separate the tentacles from the bodies. Tamerra Griffin, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Oct. 2022 Others are enormous, such as the colossal squid, which weigh over 1,000 pounds and reach lengths of over 45 feet. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2022 The flurry of courses might include white curry with lobster or a salted duck egg wrapped in ground pork, wrapped in Monterey squid, wrapped in tender Napa cabbage -- the Turducken of the sea. Michael Russell, oregonlive, 12 Aug. 2021 The smell of steaming pork buns and coconut pandan waffles wafted in the air while children and adults munched on barbecued squid on a stick, shrimp spring rolls and mango sticky rice. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2023 Last year, China deployed just two scientists to monitor a few hundred vessels that spent months fishing for squid near the Galapagos Islands. Arkansas Online, 9 Dec. 2022 Last year, China deployed just two scientists to monitor a few hundred vessels that spent months fishing for squid near the Galapagos Islands. Joshua Goodman, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Dec. 2022
Verb
This trick may give Humboldt squid an advantage over competitors that need to stay in warm, shallow waters all day. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2014 The impact on certain species like squid off the coast of South America is difficult to measure exactly. Claire Fu, New York Times, 26 Sep. 2022 Don't miss the premiere where Tucci travels to Venice to try the local delicacies from baccalà mantecato to squid ink risotto. Silvia Marchetti, CNN, 26 Apr. 2022 According to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network, squid harvests in Oregon went from zero in 2015 to 1,260 metric tons in 2016 and a record 4,667 tons in 2020. Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2022 According to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network, squid harvests in Oregon went from zero in 2015 to 1,260 metric tons in 2016 and a record 4,667 tons in 2020. Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2022 According to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network, squid harvests in Oregon went from zero in 2015 to 1,260 metric tons in 2016 and a record 4,667 tons in 2020. Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2022 Even the Chengdu squid with spicy salt and hot peppers — a name that telegraphs its intentions — escalated its heat slowly, bite after bite, instead of blasting its way to my heart. Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2022 According to the Pacific Fisheries Information Network, squid harvests in Oregon went from zero in 2015 to 1,260 metric tons in 2016 and a record 4,667 tons in 2020. Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 20 Feb. 2022 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

superconducting quantum interference device

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1613, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squid was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near squid

Cite this Entry

“Squid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squid. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

squid

noun
ˈskwid
plural squid or squids
: any of numerous sea mollusks that are cephalopods and have eight short arms and two usually longer tentacles, a long thin body with a fin on each side, and a slender internal shell

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