sea bass

American  

[see bas] / ˈsi ˌbæs /

Or seabass

noun

1. any of numerous marine fishes of the family Serranidae, such as the black sea bass.

2. a common name for any of numerous marine food fishes of various families, such as the Chilean sea bass and the white sea bass.

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sea bass British  

/ bæs /

noun

1. any of various American coastal percoid fishes of the genus Centropristes and related genera, such as C. striatus ( black sea bass ), having an elongated body with a long spiny dorsal fin almost divided into two: family Serranidae

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Etymology

Origin of sea bass

An Americanism first recorded in 1755–65

Compare meaning

How does sea-bass compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• branzino vs. sea bass

Example Sentences

"Diesel has reached a price that's quite critical for us," said Le Quintrec, unloading sole and sea bass caught recently overnight at the port of Lorient.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The sea bass and bream are always tasty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Thirteen-year-old Rio Oso resident Julian Her caught a 63.7-pound white sea bass while fishing with family on Aug. 10 in Tomales Bay, about 30 miles southwest of Santa Rosa.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2025

His inventory list is long: “Frozen shrimp, tilapia, Chilean sea bass, mahi mahi tuna, literally everything that comes from out of the country.”

From Salon • Aug. 7, 2025

He catches flounder and sea bass and bluefish.

From "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan