baitfish

noun

bait·​fish ˈbāt-ˌfish How to pronounce baitfish (audio)
: a small fish (such as a golden shiner or menhaden) that attracts and is a food source for a larger game fish
also : a fish used for bait

Examples of baitfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials advise that large schools of baitfish near the shore often signal the presence of a predator. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 5 July 2024 On bright sunny days, schools of baitfish will move to the top of the water column to feed on phytoplankton. Kubie Brown, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024 While studying how light affects baitfish in Berkley Canyon off the Pacific coast of British Columbia, Canada, an international team of scientists was in for a big surprise. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2024 Target the edges of deep holes or eddies where baitfish can rest out of the current. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for baitfish 

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baitfish was in 1755

Dictionary Entries Near baitfish

Cite this Entry

“Baitfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baitfish. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!