trawl

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrȯl 

trawled; trawling; trawls

intransitive verb

1

a

: to fish with a trawl

b

: to make a search as if by trawling

2

: troll sense 2a

transitive verb

: to catch (fish) with a trawl

trawl

2 of 2

noun

1

: a large conical net dragged along the sea bottom in gathering fish or other marine life

2

: setline

Examples of trawl in a Sentence

Verb

The boat trawled far out at sea.

a fishing boat trawling the ocean floor

He trawled the Internet looking for websites on growing grapes.

She was trawling through old letters for information about her family.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At least half the original candidates in Alaska’s crowded governor’s race took positions critical of trawling or bycatch as contenders across the political spectrum called for tighter restrictions. — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

In the wake of Curry’s death, the Who Done It crew are begging Paramount to trawl its vaults and release the cut. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

In 2025 alone, Alaska trawl fisheries discarded some 96 million pounds of bycatch, according to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Sarasota Bay Explorers’ Sea Life Encounter Cruise helps kids get up close and personal with puffer fish, stone crabs, and other local marine life that’s temporarily brought onboard with a trawl net for observation and education. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably from obsolete Dutch tragelen

First Known Use

Verb

1561, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trawl

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• brawl
• call
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• doll
• drawl
• fall

Kids Definition

trawl

1 of 2 verb

ˈtrȯl 

: to fish or catch with a trawl

trawl

2 of 2 noun

1

: a large cone-shaped net dragged along the sea bottom in fishing

2

: setline