sailfish

[ seyl-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) sail·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) sail·fish·es.

1. a large tropical and subtropical marine fish, Istiophorus platypterus, of the family Istiophoridae, distinguished by a long, high dorsal fin, long pelvic fins, and a double keel on each side of the tail.
2. any of several related fishes having a high dorsal fin.

sailfish

/ ˈseɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of several large scombroid game fishes of the genus Istiophorus, such as I. albicans ( Atlantic sailfish ), of warm and tropical seas: family Istiophoridae. They have an elongated upper jaw and a long sail-like dorsal fin
2. See basking shark
   another name for basking shark

Word History and Origins

Origin of sailfish¹

First recorded in 1585–95; sail + fish

Example Sentences

According to Martinez, sailfish or marlin are commonly made into tiritas in Guerrero.

From Washington Post

This picture was posted on his Facebook page and it shows him triumphantly holding a big sailfish fish he has just caught.

From The Daily Beast

The sailfish tapped again, then took hold so hard and ran off so swiftly that I jerked sooner than usual.

From Project Gutenberg

The sailfish saw the shark and, waking up, he fought a good deal harder than before the sharks appeared upon the scene.

From Project Gutenberg

We stowed him up in the bow and got under way again, and scarcely had I let my bait far enough astern when a sailfish hit it.

From Project Gutenberg

The sailfish sheered round on the surface, with tail and bill out, while the shark swam about five feet under him.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I saw a smashing break of a sailfish coming out sideways, sending the water in white sheets.

From Project Gutenberg