tarpon

[ tahr-puhn ]

noun

, plural tar·pons, (especially collectively) tar·pon.

1. a large, powerful game fish, Megalops atlantica, inhabiting the warmer waters of the Atlantic Ocean, having a compressed body and large, silvery scales.

tarpon

/ ˈtɑːpən /

noun

1. a large silvery clupeoid game fish, Tarpon atlanticus, of warm Atlantic waters, having a compressed body covered with large scales: family Elopidae
2. another name for ox-eye herring
3. any similar related fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarpon¹

1675–85; earlier tarpum, trapham, terbum, of uncertain origin; compare Dutch tarpoen; words in various Indian languages of Central America ( Miskito tapam, Sumo tahpam, Rama tā́pum, Paya ta’pam ) probably ultimately < English

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarpon¹

C17: perhaps from Dutch tarpoen, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Called the "depredation rate," the team found that 15.3% of tarpon that were hooked by anglers and fought for more than five minutes were eaten while still on the line.

From Science Daily

Setting out into the Gulf of Mexico in threes and fours, fishermen returned with buckets of tarpon and long, streaked snook.

From Seattle Times

"It's the most extensive database on tarpon movement to date," says Griffin, and it gave the researchers a number of hitherto unknown plot points in tarpon's story.

From Science Daily

This is where people go to hunt alligators, fish for tarpon and search for scallops in the shallow waters.

From Seattle Times

John Callion, 33, a Marathon tarpon guide, saw the tragedy unfold from his boat and sprang into action to try to save the family, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office 911 call log.

From Seattle Times