billfish

American  

[bil-fish] / ˈbɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

• billfish,
  plural
• billfishes
  plural

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

---

billfish British  

/ ˈbɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• billfish
  plural
• billfishes
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of billfish

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

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

billfish billfishes

It could also clog the gills of commercial species that forage there, such as fish and shrimp, which are eaten by larger species like tuna and billfish.

From Scientific American ● Aug. 15, 2023

“A dead billfish on the dock – in any country – brings very little value to anyone except those in poor nations who need it for protein,” Peel says.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 10, 2020

West Hawaii Acting Battalion Chief John Whitman of Hawaii County's fire department said it was not the first time he had heard of billfish - which also include sailfish and marlin - fatally impaling someone.

From BBC ● May 31, 2015

West Hawaii Acting Battalion Chief John Whitman says witnesses reported that a man in his 40s jumped from a Kailua-Kona pier Friday in an attempt to catch a billfish, likely a marlin.

From Washington Times ● May 29, 2015

Answer: If you guessed "B," you know how to handle a billfish.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tuna and billfishes, some of the fastest fish in the ocean, also have these adaptations.

From National Geographic ● Aug. 19, 2015

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---