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

Now the only halibut on the menu is blackened Cajun.

From Seattle Times

This broth has been in my repertoire for a while — I’ve made it many times, using it as a cooking liquid for, say, halibut fillets, or chicken breast.

From Washington Post

McCarthy, whose entire income last year came from salmon fishing off California and Oregon, has had to invest thousands of dollars in equipment to fish other species like rockfish, halibut and black cod.

From Seattle Times

She said some in the commercial industry will probably adapt by focusing more on Dungeness crab and other fisheries, including black cod, halibut and rockfish.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a bacon burger with caramelized onions, halibut fish and chips, a steak salad with blue cheese dressing and tomato soup with grilled cheese.

From Seattle Times