spearfish

1 of 2

noun

spear·​fish ˈspir-ˌfish How to pronounce spearfish (audio)
: any of several billfishes (genus Tetrapturus) having the anterior part of the first dorsal fin about as high as the body is deep

Illustration of spearfish

Illustration of spearfish

spearfish

2 of 2

verb

spearfished; spearfishing; spearfishes

intransitive verb

: to fish with a spear

Examples of spearfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The Atlantic longbill spearfish—a rare relative of sailfish and marlin—is part of the line up as well. — Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 9 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spearfish was circa 1882

Rhymes for spearfish

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Browse Nearby Words

speareye
spearfish
spearflower
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Cite this Entry

“Spearfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spearfish. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

spearfish

verb
spear·​fish
ˈspi(ə)r-ˌfish
: to fish with a spear

More from Merriam-Webster on spearfish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spearfish

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