menhaden

American  

[men-hayd-n] / mɛnˈheɪd n /

noun

• menhaden
  plural

1. any marine clupeid fish of the genus Brevoortia, especially B. tyrannus, resembling a shad but with a more compressed body, common along the eastern coast of the U.S., and used for making oil and fertilizer.

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menhaden British  

/ mɛnˈheɪdən /

noun

1. a marine North American fish, Brevoortia tyrannus: source of fishmeal, fertilizer, and oil: family Clupeidae (herrings, etc)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• menhaden
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of menhaden

First recorded in 1635–45, perhaps from Narragansett ( English spelling) munnawhatteaûg, influenced by English dialect poghaden; cf. pogy ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

menhaden

Another is the existence of relatively new statutes that support growing schools of the Atlantic menhaden, an oily fish with a variety of industrial uses like commercial bait and omega-3 supplements.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

“It can be really deceptive when you see a lot inshore and you see bluefish nipping at menhaden in the fall.”

From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2024

But Hinman was determined to spark a shift, writing and speaking about the need to rethink menhaden fishing regulations to anyone who would listen.

From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2024

Rather, the DEP said it believed warming ocean temperatures are causing whales and the fish they eat, including menhaden, to move into new areas, bringing them into areas frequented by vessels.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 5, 2023

Captain Wallace and his son tonged for oysters in the winter, and in the summer they netted fish, chiefly menhaden and rockfish.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

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