seafood

American  

[see-food] / ˈsiˌfud /

noun

1. any fish or shellfish from the sea used for food.

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seafood British  

/ ˈsiːˌfuːd /

noun

1. edible saltwater fish or shellfish

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Etymology

Origin of seafood

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Explanation

Seafood refers to water-dwelling animals that people kill and eat, such as fish, shrimp, or even octopuses. Seafood is not what happens to your friend if you open your mouth while you’re chewing. Do you enjoy fish and chips? Fried clams? Tuna fish sandwiches? All of these qualify as seafood. It was once fairly common to think of larger sea creatures including whales and dolphins as seafood too, although fewer people eat these animals today. The term seafood can also be used for fish that live in lakes and rivers, rather than oceans; and edible seaweeds like kelp.

Example Sentences

The canned salmon used in the study came from the Seafood Products Association, a Seattle-based trade group.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Seafood could be yet another product prone to higher costs.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

Last year Red Lobster broke through with Seafood Boils—shrimp, vegetables and other seafood served in a “steaming hot” bag.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Under the glow of fluorescent lights at Seafood City market in North Hills, packages of pre-made adobo, salted shrimp fry and and dried anchovies glisten in meat coolers.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

She took a bite of her Seafood Delight.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls