stickleback

noun stick·le·back \ ˈsti-kəl-ˌbak \

Definition of stickleback

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

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Recent Examples of stickleback from the Web

One poor fellow is turned into an involuntary stickleback.

— anthony lane, The New Yorker, "“Alien: Covenant” and the Too-Many-Monsters Problem," 29 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of stickleback

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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STICKLEBACK Defined for Kids

stickleback

noun stick·le·back \ ˈsti-kəl-ˌbak \

Definition of stickleback for Students

: a small scaleless fish with sharp spines on its back

Learn More about stickleback

See words that rhyme with stickleback Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stickleback

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