billfish

[ bil-fish ]

noun

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

1. any of various fishes having a long, sharp bill or snout, as a gar, needlefish, or saury.

billfish

/ ˈbɪlˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any of various fishes having elongated jaws, esp any fish of the family Istiophoridae , such as the spearfish and marlin

Word History and Origins

Origin of billfish¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; bill ² + fish

Example Sentences

It could also clog the gills of commercial species that forage there, such as fish and shrimp, which are eaten by larger species like tuna and billfish.

From Scientific American

By December, she was traveling to Guatemala to compete in a billfish tournament — and winning.

From New York Times

“A dead billfish on the dock – in any country – brings very little value to anyone except those in poor nations who need it for protein,” Peel says.

From The Guardian

Adult tuna, billfish and dolphinfish are the target catch for the FADS, but juvenile fish, sharks and other species also can get caught up in the catch.

From Washington Times

In 1993, the government of the Bahamas banned longline fishing, which targets tuna and billfish but often snares sharks as bycatch.

From Scientific American