swordfish
Americannoun
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swordfishes,
plural
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swordfish
plural
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a large, marine food fish, Xiphias gladius, having the upper jaw elongated into a swordlike structure.
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Astronomy. Swordfish, the constellation Dorado.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of swordfish
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see origin at sword, fish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It had been a productive two weeks for La Negra Francisca Duarte II, which was returning to port with 3 tons of precious catch — mostly tuna, swordfish, marlin and shark.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026
"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
He was on a research expedition to document bycatch or accidental capture of sharks by tuna and swordfish fishing boats.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2024
“And then the swordfish, I think. The swordfish is good? Yes, okay.”
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
"Those belonged to the wandering tribes of swordfishes," explained the Princess.
From The Sea Fairies by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
They now came to one of the avenues which led from the sea garden out into the broad ocean, and here two swordfishes were standing guard.
From The Sea Fairies by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
"Those are swordfishes," remarked the Princess as she led the band past one of these avenues.
From The Sea Fairies by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
Now here were we swimming along as quietly as sharks under water, only coming up for a bite occasionally, when on come those villainous swordfishes, and wish to drive us away.”
From Captain Brand of the "Centipede" A Pirate of Eminence in the West Indies: His Love and Exploits, Together with Some Account of the Singular Manner by Which He Departed This Life by H. A. (Henry Augustus) Wise
The swordfishes are among our most valued and faithful servants, guarding the entrances to the gardens which surround our palaces.
From The Sea Fairies by L. Frank (Lyman Frank) Baum
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