British
1
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage
a narrow gill in the Cumbrian Mountains of the Lake District
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in brook
a natural body of running water smaller than a river
a narrow but surprisingly deep gill runs the length of the rocky gorge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gill
Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 20 Aug. 2025
The other parasites included microscopic dinoflagellates and other flatworms that are known to infect fish gills, skin, or fins.
—Laura Baisas Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
The gills are white at first, becoming greenish-gray.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
One of my favorites is the tongue louse, which usually comes in through the gills of the host fish (something like a red snapper), eats the tongue, and then takes its place.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gill
Noun
The silhouette takes cues from the fluidity of a jellyfish, with an exaggerated midsole meant to echo floating gills.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 20 Aug. 2025
The other parasites included microscopic dinoflagellates and other flatworms that are known to infect fish gills, skin, or fins.
—Laura Baisas Aug 14, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
The gills are white at first, becoming greenish-gray.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025
One of my favorites is the tongue louse, which usually comes in through the gills of the host fish (something like a red snapper), eats the tongue, and then takes its place.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gill
Cite this Entry
“Gill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gill. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share