triggerfish

American

[trig-er-fish] / ˈtrɪg ərˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

triggerfish,

plural

triggerfishes

any of various compressed, deep-bodied fishes of the genus Balistes and allied genera, chiefly inhabiting tropical seas, having an anterior dorsal fin with three stout spines: some are edible while others are poisonous.

triggerfish British

/ ˈtrɪɡəˌfɪʃ /

noun

any plectognath fish of the family Balistidae , of tropical and temperate seas. They have a compressed body with erectile spines in the first dorsal fin

"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 triggerfish

First recorded in 1880–85; trigger + 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.

Expedition divers observed an unusually large school of exotically-colored triggerfish in eastern Cuba, and a kaleidoscope of vibrant corals along the ocean floor near the densely-developed tourist destination of Varadero.

From Reuters • Sep. 1, 2023

Rhyne’s research lab — which includes breeding toothy queen triggerfish and red-striped yasha gobies— has been working to share his research with breeders as well.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2022

The catch of the day, grilled triggerfish and barracuda, was worth the wait here.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2022

Eventually, it was determined the animal was likely a triggerfish.

From Fox News • Aug. 5, 2021

A startled triggerfish darted past, orange in the sun.

From Caribbee by Hoover, Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023