halibut

[hal-uh-buht, hol-]

noun

plural

halibut ,

plural

halibuts .

1. either of two large flatfishes, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, of the North Atlantic, or H. stenolepis, of the North Pacific, used for food.

2. any of various other similar flatfishes.

halibut

/ ˈhɒlɪbət, ˈhælɪbət /

noun

1. the largest flatfish: a dark green North Atlantic species, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, that is a very important food fish: family Pleuronectidae

2. any of several similar and related flatfishes, such as Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ( Greenland halibut )

Word History and Origins

Origin of halibut¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English halybutte, equivalent to haly (variant of holy ) + butte “flat fish” (from Middle Dutch ); so called because eaten on holy days. Compare Dutch heilbot, German Heilbutt

Word History and Origins

Origin of halibut¹

C15: from hali _holy (because it was eaten on holy days) + butte flat fish, from Middle Dutch butte

Example Sentences

Born in Seattle, Kawahara was a professional fisherman who focused on salmon, albacore tuna and halibut.

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Father, son and three other visiting family members arrived at 5 a.m., looking to catch area halibut.

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Sand dabs and halibut, still edible and plentiful there, were held in a net slung under the hull and served moments later.

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Crispy, tender silver salmon, local halibut, and Pacific cod are fried fresh all day long.

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He has continued fishing for halibut and lingcod, earning much less.

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