menhaden

American  

[men-heyd-n] / mɛnˈheɪd n /

noun

plural

menhaden

1. any marine clupeid fish of the genus Brevoortia, especially B. tyrannus, resembling a shad but with a more compressed body, common along the eastern coast of the U.S., and used for making oil and fertilizer.

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menhaden British  

/ mɛnˈheɪdən /

noun

1. a marine North American fish, Brevoortia tyrannus: source of fishmeal, fertilizer, and oil: family Clupeidae (herrings, etc)

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Etymology

Origin of menhaden

First recorded in 1635–45, perhaps from Narragansett ( English spelling) munnawhatteaûg, influenced by English dialect poghaden; cf. pogy ¹

Example Sentences

At the foot of the pilings below one of the piers, I saw a burst of movement—a school of small menhaden breaking the surface as something attacked.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2024

But Hinman was determined to spark a shift, writing and speaking about the need to rethink menhaden fishing regulations to anyone who would listen.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2024

Rather, the DEP said it believed warming ocean temperatures are causing whales and the fish they eat, including menhaden, to move into new areas, bringing them into areas frequented by vessels.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 5, 2023

Outside the Chesapeake Bay, the number of menhaden has increased since the Atlantic commission determined in 2012 that the fish was being harvested at a rate that would exceed its reproductive capacity if not corrected.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2023

Captain Wallace and his son tonged for oysters in the winter, and in the summer they netted fish, chiefly menhaden and rockfish.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson