swordfish
Americannoun
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a large, marine food fish, Xiphias gladius, having the upper jaw elongated into a swordlike structure.
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Astronomy. Swordfish, the constellation Dorado.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of swordfish
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at sword, fish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It had been a productive two weeks for La Negra Francisca Duarte II, which was returning to port with 3 tons of precious catch — mostly tuna, swordfish, marlin and shark.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
"Bigscale pomfret are so different from the tunas and swordfish we usually catch that we are fascinated by them whenever they show up in our gear," Mears said.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 28, 2025
The deep sea provides food to many species in shallower waters, like the swordfish, which dives up to 1,200 meters to feed.
From Salon ● May 21, 2025
Previous research has suggested attacks by swordfish are rare but they can be dangerous when provoked.
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2024
Whilest we remained at this island we saw a whale chased by a thresher and a swordfish; they fought for the space of two hours.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Now here were we swimming along as quietly as sharks under water, only coming up for a bite occasionally, when on come those villainous swordfishes, and wish to drive us away.”
From Captain Brand of the "Centipede" A Pirate of Eminence in the West Indies: His Love and Exploits, Together with Some Account of the Singular Manner by Which He Departed This Life by Wise, H. A. (Henry Augustus)
"Those are swordfishes," remarked the Princess as she led the band past one of these avenues.
From The Sea Fairies by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
They were larger than the swordfishes and seemed more fierce and bold.
From The Sea Fairies by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
"Those belonged to the wandering tribes of swordfishes," explained the Princess.
From The Sea Fairies by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
The swordfishes are among our most valued and faithful servants, guarding the entrances to the gardens which surround our palaces.
From The Sea Fairies by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
