swordfish

American  

[sawrd-fish, sohrd-] / ˈsɔrdˌfɪʃ, ˈsoʊrd- /

noun

swordfishes plural

1. a large, marine food fish, Xiphias gladius, having the upper jaw elongated into a swordlike structure.

2. Astronomy. Swordfish, the constellation Dorado.

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swordfish British  

/ ˈsɔːdˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. a large scombroid fish, Xiphias gladius, with a very long upper jaw: valued as a food and game fish: family Xiphiidae

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• swordfishes
  plural
• swordfish
  plural

Etymology

Origin of swordfish

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at sword, fish

Example Sentences

"Bigscale pomfret are so different from the tunas and swordfish we usually catch that we are fascinated by them whenever they show up in our gear," Mears said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 28, 2025

The deep sea provides food to many species in shallower waters, like the swordfish, which dives up to 1,200 meters to feed.

From Salon • May 21, 2025

“Unexpectedly, a swordfish jumped toward Manfrini and stuck her right in the chest,” said Lahmudin Siregar, head of the Mentawai Islands Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

He added: "Unexpectedly, a swordfish jumped towards Manfrini and stuck her right in the chest".

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2024

“Looks like a swordfish and a thresher shark,” says Captain Smith.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone