gizzard shad

American  

noun

1. a silvery herring, Dorosoma cepedianum, of eastern and central U.S. waters, that has a gizzardlike stomach.

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Etymology

Origin of gizzard shad

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

But an emerging threat becomes evident in early June as Friesen hauls up minnow traps and gillnets packed with carp, gizzard shad, green sunfish and, ominously, three smallmouth bass.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2022

Fresh cut gizzard shad, drum, carp, or bluegill are all excellent choices.

From Washington Times • Feb. 12, 2020

In healthy lakes, gizzard shad make up anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of the total fish population.

From Washington Times • Jul. 25, 2015

Chick and others have found that silver and bighead carp, the most menacing of several Asian varieties in the U.S., eat the same food as the bigmouth buffalo and gizzard shad.

From US News • Jul. 12, 2012

There were eels, gar, carp, river carpsuckers, gizzard shad, and buffalo.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson