stickleback

noun

stick·​le·​back ˈsti-kəl-ˌbak 

plural sticklebacks also stickleback

: any of a family (Gasterosteidae) of small scaleless bony fishes having two or more free spines in front of the dorsal fin and including marine, anadromous, and freshwater forms

Examples of stickleback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some fish species including darters and sticklebacks may also use color as a way to recognize and attract potential mates. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 July 2025

After delivering a guest lecture on sticklebacks, an unfamiliar fish caught Stanford University researcher David Kingsley’s eye. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 27 Sep. 2024

One stickleback will begin approaching, then wait to see whether another will approach a little closer. —Athena Aktipis, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2023

Under such circumstances, Krantz and others have reasoned that if the burros cannot be removed, the stickleback have to be relocated for their own safety. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stykylbak, from Old English sticel goad + Middle English bak back; akin to Old English stician to stick

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stickleback

• three-spined stickleback

Rhymes for stickleback

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback

Kids Definition

stickleback

noun

stick·​le·​back ˈstik-əl-ˌbak 

: any of numerous small scaleless fishes that have two or more sharp spines on the back