1 swordfish | Definition of swordfish

swordfish

noun
sword·​fish | \ ˈsȯrd-ËŒfish How to pronounce swordfish (audio) \

Definition of swordfish

: a very large scombroid fish (Xiphias gladius of the family Xiphiidae) that has a long swordlike beak formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is an important food and game fish

Illustration of swordfish

Illustration of swordfish

Examples of swordfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The seeds of the protest began in October 2016 when an impoverished fish seller in the region was crushed to death while trying to retrieve a valuable swordfish seized by police, who had tossed it into a garbage truck. Fox News, "Moroccan king criticizes social programs after protests," 30 July 2018 The seeds of the protest began in October 2016 when an impoverished fish seller in the region was crushed to death while trying to retrieve a valuable swordfish seized by police, who had tossed it into a garbage truck. Amira El Masaiti, The Seattle Times, "Moroccan king criticizes social programs after protests," 30 July 2018 The seeds of the protest began in October 2016 when an impoverished fish seller in the Berber Rif region was crushed to death trying to retrieve a valuable swordfish seized by police and tossed into a garbage truck. Fox News, "Moroccan protest leader's 20-year sentence sets off marches," 27 June 2018 That stuffed swordfish is also on the Easter Sunday menu, but so are Australian lamb chops ($27), blackened stuffed chicken or pork chop ($25) and more. Robert Philpot, star-telegram, "Easter brunch 2018: Where to eat out in DFW (updated) | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 Mar. 2018 The verde on the succulent swordfish comes from the cilantro and chili marinade and a silky avocado mayonnaise. Ashley Mason, Bon Appetit, "10 Vintage Avocado Recipes We Never Want to Forget," 8 Feb. 2017 According to new experiments published today in the Journal of Experimental Biology, the swordfish has an oil-producing gland at the base of its bill, or sword. National Geographic, "Natural Lube Powers One of World's Fastest Fish," 6 July 2016 The change would have shut down the drift gillnet fishing for swordfish for up to two seasons if too many of nine groups of whales, sea turtles or dolphins were getting caught in the nets. Ellen Knickmeyer, The Seattle Times, "US cancels new protection for endangered West Coast whales," 12 June 2017 The change would have shut down the drift gillnet fishing for swordfish for up to two seasons if too many of nine groups of whales, sea turtles or dolphins were getting caught in the nets. Washington Post, "US cancels new protection for endangered West Coast whales," 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swordfish.' 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 swordfish

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for swordfish

swordfish

noun

English Language Learners Definition of swordfish

: a very large fish that lives in the ocean, that has a long, pointed upper jaw which looks like a sword, and that is eaten as food

swordfish

noun
sword·​fish | \ ˈsȯrd-ËŒfish How to pronounce swordfish (audio) \
plural swordfish or swordfishes

Kids Definition of swordfish

: a large ocean fish that has a long pointed bill formed by the bones of the upper jaw and is often used for food

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More from Merriam-Webster on swordfish

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with swordfish

Spanish Central: Translation of swordfish

Nglish: Translation of swordfish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swordfish