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tilapia

American  
[tuh-lah-pee-uh, -ley-] / təˈlɑ pi ə, -ˈleɪ- /

noun

  1. any freshwater cichlid of the genus Tilapia, of African waters: an important food fish.


tilapia British  
/ tɪˈlæpɪə, -ˈleɪ- /

noun

  1. any mouthbrooding cichlid fish of the African freshwater genus Tilapia: used as food fishes

"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

Etymology

Origin of tilapia

First recorded in 1845–50; New Latin; further origin uncertain

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.

He discovered tens of thousands of dead tilapia floating in his ponds.

From The Wall Street Journal

On top of that, seafood from China now faces a 40% total tariff, wiping out much of the tilapia market; India is hit with 36%, affecting the abundant Indian shrimp sold here; and Thailand faces 46% tariffs, with negotiations still ongoing despite its huge footprint in shrimp and white fish at the market.

From Salon

His inventory list is long: “Frozen shrimp, tilapia, Chilean sea bass, mahi mahi tuna, literally everything that comes from out of the country.”

From Salon

In recent years, as evaporation has taken its toll on the Salton Sea, its water has grown progressively saltier — too salty, in fact, for fish such as tilapia, an introduced species that previously provided an abundant food source for migrating birds.

From Los Angeles Times

Luke Nguyen’s Tilapia Fish Salad, from his cookbook "From China to Vietnam," is a masterclass in allium layering, using both fresh and fried red Asian shallots, as well as fresh and fried garlic.

From Salon