rainbow trout

American  

noun

1. a trout, Salmo gairdnerii, native in the coastal waters and streams from Baja California to Alaska, used as a food and game fish.

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rainbow trout British  

noun

1. a freshwater trout of North American origin, Salmo gairdneri , having a body marked with many black spots and two longitudinal red stripes

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Etymology

Origin of rainbow trout

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Example Sentences

Fishing: At Trinity Lake, you can rent a deck boat, pontoon boat or houseboat and try your hand at catching large and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

That includes topping salads with tinned smoked salmon marinated in extra virgin olive oil, umami-fying pastas with anchovy fillets à la Alison Roman or topping toast with butter and rainbow trout.

From Salon • May 2, 2025

Steelhead trout are the same species as rainbow trout, but they have different lifestyles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

In 2022, China produced 37,000 tonnes of rainbow trout.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2025

I remember the smell of crushed ferns in the creel and the delicate sweet odor of fresh damp rainbow trout lying so prettily on the green bed.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck