flying fish

American  

noun

1. any fish of the family Exocoetidae, having stiff and greatly enlarged pectoral fins enabling it to glide considerable distances through the air after leaping from the water.

2. Astronomy. Flying Fish, the constellation Volans.

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flying fish British  

noun

1. any marine teleost fish of the family Exocoetidae , common in warm and tropical seas, having enlarged winglike pectoral fins used for gliding above the surface of the water

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Etymology

Origin of flying fish

First recorded in 1505–15

Example Sentences

When writing about nature — the moonlight on the water, the vicious storms, the silvery flying fish she watches with rapt amazement — Heywood is at her best.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

The eggs of a flying fish that uses sargassum as a laying substrate have even evolved to mimic the little gas-filled “bladders” that keep the algae afloat.

From Slate • Jul. 16, 2023

Even on a good day, strong waves on the azure seas toss around tiny fishing boats hoping to hook some of the islanders' favourite flying fish.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

In the darkness, the wind picked up and flying fish jumped into their dinghy, according to Mr. Rodriguez’s account.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2023

Now that it was dead, the flying fish looked like fish I had seen in the markets of Pondicherry.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel