menhaden

American  

[men-heyd-n] / mɛnˈheɪd n /

noun

plural

menhaden

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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Etymology

Origin of menhaden

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

Example Sentences

The menhaden fished in the Atlantic by the Omega Protein Corporation’s fleets is used to produce, among other products, lipstick, animal feed, and omega fish oil dietary supplements.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2024

I’d seen days on the Hudson River where the menhaden had been so abundant that they’d literally exhausted the oxygen supply along the shoreline, suffocating themselves as they swam.

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

In a statement on its website, the company said the increase in the total allowable catch for menhaden was “fully compatible” with the ecological reference points that underlie the commission’s new management of the fish.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 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