swordfish

[ sawrd-fish, sohrd- ]

/ ˈsɔrdˌfɪʃ, ˈsoʊrd- /

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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.

Swordfish, Astronomy. the constellation Dorado.

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

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Origin of swordfish

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

Words nearby swordfish

swordbill, sword cane, swordcraft, sword dance, sword fern, swordfish, sword grass, sword knot, sword lily, swordman, sword of Damocles

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use swordfish in a sentence

It subsequently expanded into tuna, swordfish and groundfish — Leeman’s specialty.
What Private Equity Firms Are and How They Operate|by Chris Morran and Daniel Petty|August 3, 2022|ProPublica
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|DAILY BEAST
Recipe Instead of adorning your pasta with sausage and tomatoes, try using swordfish and olives for a change of pace and flavor.
Fresh Picks|Donatella Arpaia|August 11, 2009|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

Mayo does advise that pregnant women avoid swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tile fish.
Jeremy Piven's Fishy Excuse|Amanda Fortini|January 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Suddenly from the midst of the foam darted forth a gigantic swordfish, with a sword at least twenty feet in length.
Laboulaye's Fairy Book|Various
It wouldn't do man any good to stage a conquest of earthworms and swordfish, since neither could pay taxes.
The Whispering Spheres|Russell Robert Winterbotham
There were suggestions of purple that reminded me of the swordfish—that royal purple game of the Pacific.
Tales of Fishes|Zane Grey
He weaved from side to side, exactly like a tired swordfish, and every now and then he would stick out his bill and swish!
Tales of Fishes|Zane Grey
The swordfish has been so long and so well known that its right to its peculiar name has seldom been infringed upon.
Tales of Fishes|Zane Grey

British Dictionary definitions for swordfish

swordfish

/ (ˈsɔːdˌfɪʃ) /

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