albacore

American  

[al-buh-kawr, -kohr] / ˈæl bəˌkɔr, -ˌkoʊr /

noun

albacore, plural albacores plural

1. a long-finned tuna, Thunnus alalunga, of warm or temperate seas, the flesh of which is valued for canning.

2. any of various tunalike fishes.

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albacore British  

/ ˈælbəˌkɔː /

noun

1. Also called: long-fin tunny.  a tunny, Thunnus alalunga, occurring mainly in warm regions of the Atlantic and Pacific. It has very long pectoral fins and is a valued food fish

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• albacore
  plural
• albacores
  plural

Etymology

Origin of albacore

1570–80; < Portuguese albacora ≪ North African Arabic al-bakūrah the tuna

Explanation

Albacore is a large tuna fish with a long, silver body, huge eyes, and oversized pectoral fins. As a food, albacore is also known as "white tuna." When it comes to canned tuna fish, albacore isn't the safest type to eat regularly; because it's so large, it contains a high level of mercury. The smaller skipjack is considered a healthier choice. A fully grown albacore weighs over 70 pounds, and it can be found in both tropical and temperate waters. Albacore comes from the Portuguese and has an Arabic root: al bakara, or "milk cow."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

albacore albacores

I’ll always prefer Mom’s barbecued chicken, fried chicken and French fries, but I have branched out, trying an array of new, relatively tamer foods, ranging from albacore tuna to zucchini.

From Salon ● Jun. 15, 2026

I get two orders of albacore sashimi and I drink water, so I feel like Aquaman.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2026

Rolando Quisca, a local fisherman, also said the heat wave had benefited him, citing an unusual amount of albacore, a fish that lives in warmer waters.

From Reuters ● Aug. 7, 2023

Like the aforementioned albacore tuna, the Local Tide version of a Filet-O-Fish is another memory perfected: golden-panko-crusted Dover sole, melty orange American cheese, butter lettuce, housemade tartar on a not-too-tall brioche bun.

From Seattle Times ● May 25, 2023

I picked up only a straggler from the albacore that were feeding.

From "The Old Man and The Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

While Snowball was speaking, and before he had commenced, the albacores had entered upon a peculiar movement.

From The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea by Reid, Mayne

We say had been seen: for, after swallowing the brace of albacores, the voracious monster had suddenly disappeared, either by diving deep down into the sea, or shooting off to some distant point.

From The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea by Reid, Mayne

It is itself preyed upon by other fish,—diodons and albacores; but the shark is merciful to it, as to the pilot-fish, and never interferes with it.

From The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea by Reid, Mayne

While angling among the albacores, with the prospect of making a successful troll, they had thought less of it.

From The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea by Reid, Mayne

With glue made out of albacores we caught, to be sure.

From In Clive's Command A Story of the Fight for India by Strang, Herbert