puffer fish

noun

1
: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical scaleless marine bony fishes which can distend themselves to a globular form and most of which are highly poisonous

called also blowfish, globefish, swellfish

compare fugu
2
: any of various fish of the same order (Tetraodontiformes) as the puffer fish

Examples of puffer fish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Souza told us about the early islanders’ sophisticated system of aquaculture and pointed out the eel, barracuda, and — excitement! — puffer fish that live in the ponds today. Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 Lin Qi, a brash gaming entrepreneur, was hospitalized in December 2020 for mercury poisoning and a neurotoxin similar to the kind found in puffer fish. Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024 Last weekend, Dominguez fit right in, dressed as a billowing psychedelic puffer fish that enveloped most of his face. Patricia Leigh Brown, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 The Bartz sculptures, which started with a puffer fish in 2012, were inspired by a trip to Florida. Staff Report, Twin Cities, 20 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for puffer fish 

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of puffer fish was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near puffer fish

Cite this Entry

“Puffer fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puffer%20fish. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

puffer fish

noun
: any of various scaleless fishes chiefly of tropical seas which can puff themselves up with air or water when threatened and most of which are highly poisonous

called also blowfish, puffer

Medical Definition

puffer fish

noun
variants or pufferfish
: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical, scaleless, marine fishes that when threatened can distend themselves to a large, roundish form and most of which are highly poisonous

called also blowfish, globefish

see fugu
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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