smolt

American  

[smohlt] / smoʊlt /

noun

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

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smolt British  

/ sməʊlt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of smolt

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

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

Each spring, the sockeye smolt swam unimpeded to the sea for the cycle to begin anew.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2021

Developmental stages—the transitions between the eggs, fry, parr, smolt, and returning salmon—are governed by changes in water temperature, and warmer waters can disrupt the salmon’s life cycle by triggering stunted growth or premature hatching.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 7, 2019

DeHart said years of research — under all different kinds of river conditions — indicate the increased flows should boost the numbers of smolt that make it to the ocean.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2017

In its various and progressive stages, it passes under the names of fry, smolt, orange-fin, phinock, herling, whitling, sea-trout, and salmon-trout.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 53, No. 331, May, 1843 by Various