lantern fish

noun

: any of a family (Myctophidae) of small deep-sea bony fishes that have a large mouth, large eyes, and usually numerous photophores

Examples of lantern fish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists speculate that the squid are likely feasting on the many small animals such as krill and lantern fish that are adapted to spend the day there hiding from other predators that are not equipped to spend time in the hypoxic areas. —Katherine Harmon, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1753, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lantern fish

noun

: any of numerous small fishes mostly of deep seas that have a large mouth, large eyes, and spots on the body that give off light