halibut

American  

[hal-uh-buht, hol-] / ˈhæl ə bət, ˈhɒl- /

noun

plural

halibut,

plural

halibuts

1. either of two large flatfishes, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, of the North Atlantic, or H. stenolepis, of the North Pacific, used for food.

2. any of various other similar flatfishes.

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halibut British  

/ ˈhɒlɪbət, ˈhælɪbət /

noun

1. the largest flatfish: a dark green North Atlantic species, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, that is a very important food fish: family Pleuronectidae

2. any of several similar and related flatfishes, such as Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ( Greenland halibut )

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Etymology

Origin of halibut

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English halybutte, equivalent to haly (variant of holy ) + butte “flat fish” (from Middle Dutch ); so called because eaten on holy days. Compare Dutch heilbot, German Heilbutt

Example Sentences

For a decade, the combination of Danish subsidies, infrastructure investment and rising global prices for halibut, cod and shrimp have helped keep the economy ticking over.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

He took loads of halibut and abalone off the La Costa Beach.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2025

All Atlantic salmon, basa, halibut, mackerel, sockeye salmon and Pacific white shrimp were as advertised.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2024

There was also plenty of beef tongue and halibut.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

In exchange for a ride north, I had only to take regular turns at the helm—a four-hour wheel watch every twelve hours—and help tie endless skates of halibut gear.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer