smolt

[ smohlt ]

noun

1. a young, silvery salmon in the stage of its first migration to the sea.

smolt

/ sməʊlt /

noun

1. a young salmon at the stage when it migrates from fresh water to the sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of smolt¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; perhaps akin to smelt ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of smolt¹

C14: Scottish, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to smelt ²

Example Sentences

After they hatch, the baby fry and juveniles, called smolt, begin migrating downstream, typically via San Francisco Bay, and out to sea.

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent morning in March, while dew was still on the road, there occurred the salmon smolt mishap of Northeast Oregon.

From New York Times

Mary Valentine, a seasonal scientific technician with the department’s fish program’s science division, was working a smolt trap on Tuesday.

From Seattle Times

The department has temporarily suspended smolt trapping at the Duckabush River.

From Seattle Times

The department seasonally conducts trapping of downstream migrating smolt, or juvenile salmon, in freshwater watersheds statewide.

From Seattle Times