sawfish

American

[saw-fish] / ˈsɔˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

sawfish,

plural

sawfishes

a large, elongated ray of the genus Pristis, living along tropical coasts and lowland rivers, with a bladelike snout bearing strong teeth on each side.

sawfish British

/ ˈsɔːˌfɪʃ /

noun

any sharklike ray of the family Pristidae of subtropical coastal waters and estuaries, having a serrated bladelike mouth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sawfish

First recorded in 1655–65; saw ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sawfish necropsies have not revealed any pathogen or bacterial infections, nor problems with low water oxygen levels or contaminants such as chemicals, or toxic red tide.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

Sawfish look something like hedge trimmers with fins and can reach lengths of 17 feet.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2021

Sawfish primarily use their rostrum for sensing and hunting prey, according to wildlife officials.

From Washington Times • Jan. 25, 2020

The Sawfish is a ray in which the snout is elongated and edged with strong teeth.

From Fast Nine or, A Challenge from Fairfield by Douglas, Alan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023