salmon

noun

salm·​on ˈsa-mən 

plural salmon also salmons

1

a

: a large anadromous salmonid fish (Salmo salar) of the North Atlantic noted as a game and food fish

called also Atlantic salmon

b

: any of various anadromous salmonid fishes other than the salmon

especially : pacific salmon

c

: a fish (such as a barramundi) resembling a salmon

2

: the variable color of salmon's flesh averaging a strong yellowish pink

Examples of salmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another intriguing possibility is that the salmon hat behavior is a display of individuality or skill. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

An image of an orca donning a dead salmon on its head like a hat sparked speculation that an old 1980s fashion trend had returned. —Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

The series is set in a near-future Norway where, years after closing its borders, scientists discover a lethal bacterium infecting the country’s staple protein, salmon. —Judy Berman, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024

That makes foods like avocados, olive oil and higher-fat fish like salmon eligible to be labeled as healthy for the first time. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English samon, from Anglo-French salmon, samon, from Latin salmon-, salmo

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing salmon

• Atlantic salmon
• black salmon
• chinook salmon
• chum salmon
• jack salmon
• king salmon
• Pacific salmon
• pink salmon
• red salmon
• salmon pink
• silver salmon
• sockeye salmon

Kids Definition

salmon

noun

salm·​on ˈsam-ən 

plural salmon also salmons

1

: any of various large food and game fishes that are related to the trouts, have reddish or pinkish flesh, live in oceans or large lakes, and swim up rivers or streams to deposit or fertilize eggs: as

a

: one of the northern Atlantic that does not die after breeding

called also Atlantic salmon

b

: any of several fishes (as the Chinook salmon) of the northern Pacific that usually die after breeding

called also Pacific salmon

2

: salmon pink

Geographical Definition

Salmon

geographical name

Salm·​on ˈsa-mən 

river 420 miles (676 kilometers) long in central Idaho flowing into the Snake River