swordfish

[sawrd-fish, sohrd-]

noun, plural sword·fish·es, (especially collectively) sword·fish for 1.

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

(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Dorado.

Origin of swordfish

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at sword, fish

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

Examples from the Web for swordfish

Contemporary Examples of swordfish

Both she and the president, casually dressed in khakis and rolled-up shirt sleeves, had swordfish and salad.
Are You There, Recipient? It’s Me, Barack
Allison Yarrow
April 6, 2012
I absolutely love the assertiveness of olives and capers, especially when paired with a meaty fish like swordfish.
Fresh Picks
Donatella Arpaia
August 11, 2009

Historical Examples of swordfish

I've been turnin' out another school of swordfish and whales, too.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
You put in your fourteen cents and I'll put in the rest of the swordfish.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
But there are no more fish there, except Marlin swordfish in August and September.
Tales of Fishes
Zane Grey
These days were fruitful of the knowledge of swordfish that I had longed to earn.
Tales of Fishes
Zane Grey
Nor can you mistake a swordfish when he breaks, even though you only see the splash.
Tales of Fishes
Zane Grey

British Dictionary definitions for swordfish

swordfish

noun plural -fish or -fishes

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

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

Word Origin and History for swordfish

c.1400, from sword + fish (n.).