smolt

[smohlt]

noun

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

smolt

/ sməʊlt /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of smolt¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; perhaps akin to smelt ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of smolt¹

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

Example Sentences

Since they can’t smolt and become steelhead, they do not have state or federal protections.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After they hatch, the baby fry and juveniles, called smolt, begin migrating downstream, typically via San Francisco Bay, and out to sea.

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On a recent morning in March, while dew was still on the road, there occurred the salmon smolt mishap of Northeast Oregon.

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Mary Valentine, a seasonal scientific technician with the department’s fish program’s science division, was working a smolt trap on Tuesday.

Read more on Seattle Times

The department has temporarily suspended smolt trapping at the Duckabush River.

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