sailfish

[ seyl-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) sail·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) sail·fish·es.

1. a large tropical and subtropical marine fish, Istiophorus platypterus, of the family Istiophoridae, distinguished by a long, high dorsal fin, long pelvic fins, and a double keel on each side of the tail.
2. any of several related fishes having a high dorsal fin.

sailfish

/ ˈseɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of several large scombroid game fishes of the genus Istiophorus, such as I. albicans ( Atlantic sailfish ), of warm and tropical seas: family Istiophoridae. They have an elongated upper jaw and a long sail-like dorsal fin
2. another name for basking shark

Word History and Origins

Origin of sailfish¹

First recorded in 1585–95; sail + fish