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

The project takes its title and central conceit from the biology of the stickleback fish, a species in which the male stands guard over the eggs alone once the female has departed. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026

In these stick insects, as in the sticklebacks, a chromosomal inversion keeps each ecotype’s group of traits together on the genome. —Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 21 May 2026

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

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