steelhead

American  

[steel-hed] / ˈstilˌhɛd /

noun

steelheads, plural steelhead plural

1. a silvery rainbow trout that migrates to the sea before returning to fresh water to spawn.

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steelhead British  

/ ˈstiːlˌhɛd /

noun

1. a silvery North Pacific variety of the rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri )

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• steelhead
  plural
• steelheads
  plural

Etymology

Origin of steelhead

First recorded in 1580–90; steel + head

Compare meaning

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

• steelhead vs. trout

Example Sentences

Scientists feared the Santa Monica Mountains’ last remaining steelhead trout were dead, smothered by debris flows unleashed by the Palisades fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

However, they can migrate to the ocean and become steelhead, where they typically grow larger before returning to their natal waters to spawn.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Various types of native fish have suffered declines, including steelhead trout, white sturgeon and longfin smelt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

In a past life, steelhead trout and coho salmon thrived in this stream.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

Soon salmon and steelhead and trout from the Dungeness made their way up the irrigation ditch and gathered in schools in the pond.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown