billfish

[ bil-fish ]

noun

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

1. any of various fishes having a long, sharp bill or snout, as a gar, needlefish, or saury.

billfish

/ ˈbɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various fishes having elongated jaws, esp any fish of the family Istiophoridae , such as the spearfish and marlin

Word History and Origins

Origin of billfish¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; bill ² + fish

Example Sentences

These sharks, including oceanic whitetips and porbeagles, are often caught by accident within tuna and billfish fisheries.

From Science News

The saury, or billfish—scomberesox sauris—is found in all parts of the North Atlantic.

From Project Gutenberg