swordtail
noun
sword·tail
ˈsȯrd-ˌtāl 
: a small brightly marked Central American live-bearer (Xiphophorus helleri of the family Poeciliidae) often kept in tropical aquariums and bred in many colors
Examples of swordtail in a Sentence
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Inspired by the South American swordtail butterfly Chorinea octavius, gold wires turn into wing veins; backless plique-à-jour enamel represent transparent wing surfaces, and ruby cabochons become the butterfly’s characteristic red markings.
—
Anthony Demarco,
Forbes.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Hermit Fiddler crabs wave their claws, swordtail fish flash their swordtails, manakins leap and buzz their wings.
—
Carl Zimmer,
Discover Magazine,
30 July 2010
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Anthony Demarco,
Forbes.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Hermit Fiddler crabs wave their claws, swordtail fish flash their swordtails, manakins leap and buzz their wings.
—
Carl Zimmer,
Discover Magazine,
30 July 2010
Cite this Entry
“Swordtail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swordtail. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
swordtail
noun
sword·tail
ˈsō(ə)rd-ˌtāl
ˈsȯ(ə)rd-
: a small brightly marked Central American fish often kept in tropical aquariums and bred in many colors
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