smolt

[smohlt]

noun

a young, silvery salmon in the stage of its first migration to the sea.

Origin of smolt

1425–75; late Middle English; perhaps akin to smelt²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for smolt

Historical Examples of smolt

They are then called "smolt," and are as adult salmon in all respects save size.
Alaska
Ella Higginson
Shortly after assuming the smolt dress, the young salmon takes its departure to the sea.
Amateur Fish Culture
Charles Edward Walker
In about fifteen months it loses these marks and becomes quite silvery, being now known as a smolt.
Amateur Fish Culture
Charles Edward Walker

British Dictionary definitions for smolt

smolt

noun

a young salmon at the stage when it migrates from fresh water to the sea

Word Origin for smolt

C14: Scottish, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to smelt ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012