chum salmon

noun
variants: or less commonly chum

Definition of chum salmon

: a metallic bluish green salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) of the northern Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean that may reach a length of about 3.5 feet (1 meter) but is typically smaller

Note: Upon entering fresh water to spawn, the male chum salmon develops large, sharp teeth and becomes dark green to brown with reddish-purple vertical stripes.

Examples of chum salmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The state in July recorded its warmest month, and heat stress is suspected in the deaths of pink and chum salmon in rivers that empty into the Bering Sea, including the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. Washington Post, "California sails toward biggest salmon harvest in years," 22 Aug. 2019 The tit-for-tat taxes hit nearly all Alaska seafood; exempted were millions of pounds of frozen Alaska pink and chum salmon and cod that are sent to China for processing into fillets or portions and exported back to the US and other countries. Anchorage Daily News, "Trump’s trade war with China takes a big bite out of Alaska and US seafood sales," 6 Aug. 2019 The price for chinook salmon was $5.86; coho salmon at $1.19, pinks at $.32 and chum salmon averaged $.66 a pound at the docks. Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s how Alaska fishery managers expect this salmon season to play out," 15 May 2018 For chum salmon, this year's Alaska catch is pegged at 21 million, down by nearly four million from last year's huge 25 million haul, the largest catch in in 47 years. Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Here’s how Alaska fishery managers expect this salmon season to play out," 15 May 2018 Alaska's chum salmon catch last year of 25 million also was the largest haul since 1970. Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Trifecta of falling fish revenue is heading for Alaska fishermen, coastal communities," 2 Apr. 2018 Pink and chum salmon by far make up most of Alaska's hatchery production. Laine Welch, Anchorage Daily News, "Marketing campaign aims to convince consumers that ‘ugly’ crabs can be just as tasty," 20 Mar. 2018 Now is the time when the whales will visit the central Puget Sound, chasing fall chum salmon runs, creating a rare thrill in an urban setting. Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Puget Sound orcas getting a break from boaters — at no loss to whale-watch industry, study finds," 25 Dec. 2017 At Kotzebue, two buyers showed up for the first time in three years and flew off with a half-million-pound chum salmon catch. Laine Welch, Alaska Dispatch News, "Chum salmon returned this year to set catch records statewide," 3 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chum salmon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chum salmon

1907, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for chum salmon

chum entry 5

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