blackfish

noun

black·​fish ˈblak-ˌfish How to pronounce blackfish (audio)
1
: any of numerous dark-colored fishes: such as
a
: tautog
b
: a small bony fish (Dallia pectoralis of the family Esocidae) of Alaska and Siberia that is used for food and is noted for its resistance to cold
2
: any of several small toothed whales
especially : pilot whale

Examples of blackfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
By the second brown tide algal bloom, in 1995, most commercial fishermen had diversified, buying new gear to catch black sea bass, blackfish and striped bass, said Ken Homan, owner of Braun’s Seafood, a major wholesaler on the North Fork. — Christopher Maag, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2024 Just how tough is the blackfish? — Ned Rozell, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackfish was in 1634

Rhymes for blackfish

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Cite this Entry

“Blackfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackfish. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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