anadromous

American  

[uh-nad-ruh-muhs] / əˈnæd rə məs /

adjective

1. (of fish) migrating from salt water to spawn in fresh water, as salmon of the genera Salmo and Oncorhynchus (catadromous ).

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anadromous British  

/ əˈnædrəməs /

adjective

1. (of fishes such as the salmon) migrating up rivers from the sea in order to breed Compare catadromous

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anadromous Scientific  

/ ə-năd′rə-məs /

1. Relating to fish, such as salmon or shad, that migrate up rivers from the sea to breed in fresh water.

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Etymology

Origin of anadromous

First recorded in 1745–55, anadromous is from the Greek word anádromos running upward. See ana-, -drome, -ous

Example Sentences

Salmon are anadromous, meaning they spend much of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater rivers to spawn.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2024

If our recent bout of record-breaking rain has you down, then you’re probably not an anadromous fish.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2021

They interfere with, or block altogether, the migration of anadromous fish such as salmon and steelhead.

From Washington Times • Nov. 15, 2017

Even though officials have made it easier for the anadromous fish to migrate from the ocean to freshwater rivers where they are born, “the fish aren’t coming back,” he said.

From Washington Post

This anadromous species inhabits in summer the principal rivers of Northern Alaska and Mackenzie, east to and including the Anderson.

From A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort in Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean in the Years 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772 New Edition with Introduction, Notes, and Illustrations by Tyrrell, J. B.