lungfish

noun

lung·​fish ˈləŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce lungfish (audio)
: any of an order (Dipnoi) of bony fishes that breathe by a modified swim bladder as well as gills

Illustration of lungfish

Illustration of lungfish

Examples of lungfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Amazingly, lungfish can remain in estivation for multiple years if water levels don’t return. Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 Among fish, lungfish are the closest relatives to humans. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 The South American lungfish, meanwhile, has much weaker controls. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 The South American lungfish now beats the Australian lungfish, boasting a genome more than twice as large. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lungfish 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lungfish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lungfish was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near lungfish

Cite this Entry

“Lungfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lungfish. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lungfish

noun
lung·​fish ˈləŋ-ˌfish How to pronounce lungfish (audio)
: any of various fishes that breathe with structures resembling lungs as well as with gills

More from Merriam-Webster on lungfish

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