topsmelt

[ top-smelt ]

noun

, plural top·smelts, (especially collectively) top·smelt.

1. a silverside, Atherinops affinis, of waters along the Pacific coast of North America: valued as a food fish.

Word History and Origins

Origin of topsmelt¹

top ¹ + smelt ²

Example Sentences

Craig Sap, superintendent of California State Parks’ Angeles District, on Monday said it could take several days to confirm what led to the death of roughly 1,500 mullet and topsmelt fish that were discovered floating in the lagoon Thursday morning.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials said that Carlton Bell Sr., 66, was found in his house in the 5400 block of Topsmelt Court after authorities were asked to check on him.

From Washington Post

What's more, topsmelt and fathead minnows are hardly the only kinds of fish in the sea, and plenty of others may be affected by butt toxins differently.

From Time

The two types of fish the researchers chose for their study were the topsmelt and fathead minnow, both common in U.S. waterways.

From Time