halibut

[ hal-uh-buht, hol- ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) hal·i·but, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) hal·i·buts.

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.

halibut

/ 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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of halibut¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of halibut¹

C15: from hali holy (because it was eaten on holy days) + butte flat fish, from Middle Dutch butte

Example Sentences

All I wanted was to eat some halibut at the bar and read a book on my phone, but the guy one stool over was determined to chat me up, no matter how many times I pointedly turned back to my reading.

From Outside Online

Plus, a chef keeps guests fueled with huevos rancheros in the morning and halibut tacos and just-baked cookies in the evenings.

From Outside Online

Norway served a delectable North Atlantic halibut confit with smoked purée celeriac, sunchoke, and cured game meat.

From The Daily Beast

In her TLC series on Alaska, we see Sarah the frontierswoman hunting, skeet-shooting, and beating a captured halibut to death.

From The Daily Beast

She says that the president had steak, the first lady had halibut.

From The Daily Beast

Recipe Jean-Georges is a legend for many reasons: this halibut recipe is one of them.

From The Daily Beast

Halibut, striped bass, and black bass are other good choices.

From The Daily Beast

In the hills are coal and limestone, and along the shore is splendid cod, halibut, and salmon fishing.

From Project Gutenberg

I get codfish steaks or sometimes a little halibut; neither of those has any waste at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Cut large fish, such as salmon or halibut in thick pieces and tie in piece of cheesecloth.

From Project Gutenberg

Halibut may be dressed in the same manner, putting salt in the water when you boil it, and also in the seasoning.

From Project Gutenberg

Place fat in a frying pan, allow it to become hot, and sauté the halibut in this until well browned.

From Project Gutenberg