steelhead

noun

steel·​head ˈstēl-ˌhed How to pronounce steelhead (audio)
plural steelhead also steelheads
: an anadromous rainbow trout

called also steelhead trout

Examples of steelhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Salmon and steelhead anglers will be hard-pressed to find a better rod than the Okuma X-Series. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025 Weeklong extreme fly-fishing itineraries are offered mid-October through April, with endless opportunities to hook brown, brook, and rainbow trout, as well as steelhead and Chinook salmon toward season’s end. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2025 Nez Perce scientists and environmental managers, working alongside other Northwest tribes, have documented the near extinction of numerous species of salmon and steelhead fish, despite federal, state and tribal agencies investing billions of dollars in hatchery programs to boost fish populations. Alyssa Kreikemeier, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025 Their construction ultimately resulted in a river basin high in phosphorus and toxic algae, which flowed downriver killing off fish such as salmon and steelhead, while creating river water that was unsafe for the tribes who called the Klamath River home. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for steelhead

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steelhead was circa 1882

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Cite this Entry

“Steelhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steelhead. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

steelhead

noun
steel·​head ˈstē(ə)l-ˌhed How to pronounce steelhead (audio)
plural steelhead also steelheads
: a rainbow trout that migrates to the sea to mature and returns to rivers to breed

called also steelhead trout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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