: a marine bony fish (Regalecus glesne) of subtropical waters with a narrow soft body from 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) long, a red dorsal fin running the entire length of the body, and red-tipped anterior rays rising above the head
Examples of oarfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The roughly 10-foot oarfish was discovered on Nov. 6.
—
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
In August, a group spotted a 12-foot, dead oarfish while snorkeling in La Jolla, California.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Two dead oarfish have washed ashore in Southern California waters in the last few months.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Still, the oarfish, which can reach up to 30 feet long, continues to draw much interest.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
Scientists don’t know why these oarfish have died and washed ashore.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Scientists believe the oarfish sightings could be related to changing ocean conditions but emphasize the need for further research.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
According to some media reports, oarfish have been associated in Japanese folklore with prophesies of doom — in particular, earthquakes.
—James Doubek, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
According to The Ocean Conservancy, an oarfish washing ashore could have a darker meaning.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
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Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
In August, a group spotted a 12-foot, dead oarfish while snorkeling in La Jolla, California.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Two dead oarfish have washed ashore in Southern California waters in the last few months.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Still, the oarfish, which can reach up to 30 feet long, continues to draw much interest.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
Scientists don’t know why these oarfish have died and washed ashore.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Scientists believe the oarfish sightings could be related to changing ocean conditions but emphasize the need for further research.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
According to some media reports, oarfish have been associated in Japanese folklore with prophesies of doom — in particular, earthquakes.
—James Doubek, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
According to The Ocean Conservancy, an oarfish washing ashore could have a darker meaning.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near oarfish
Cite this Entry
“Oarfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oarfish. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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