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billfish

American  
[bil-fish] / ˈbɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of billfish

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

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

RUNNER-UP Madeira This marlin mecca in the eastern Atlantic is one no billfish chaser should miss.

From Time Magazine Archive

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