silver carp

noun

plural silver carp also silver carps

: a freshwater cyprinid fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) of eastern Asia that is silvery-gray with a white belly and that has been introduced into non-native waters where it is often considered an invasive (see invasive entry 1 sense 1a) species

Day by day, fishermen have lately been reporting sightings of the once-infrequently seen silver carp springing like torpedoes from rivers in the Mississippi basin when outboard motor boats pass.

—Peter T. Kilborn

Note: Silver carp, along with the related bighead carp, black carp, and grass carp are often called Asian carp in the U.S.

Examples of silver carp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Invasive silver carp have been found in the lower Chippewa and Black rivers in western Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources announced Monday. —Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024

Bighead and silver carp are currently the biggest threat to the Great Lakes. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2024

Boaters and anglers are encouraged to report sightings or harvest of bighead and silver carp to WFF’s Fisheries Section by phone at 256-353-2634 or by email at [e-mail]. —Leada Gore | [e-mail], al, 13 Sep. 2023

In mid-August, Banaszak arrowed a 31.3-pound silver carp in the Red River. —Outdoor Life, 7 Sep. 2023

Signs are being installed at public boat ramps along the Tennessee River in north Alabama to help boaters and anglers identify the fish - bighead and silver carp – if they are seen or harvested from the river. —Leada Gore | [e-mail], al, 13 Sep. 2023

Black, bighead, grass and silver carp occupy numerous lakes, rivers and streams. —Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2023

Officials pulled an invasive silver carp from the waters of Lake Calumet on the city’s Far South Side Thursday. —Stephanie Casanova, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022

Last year, a silver carp made it all the way to Lake Calumet, just 7 miles from Lake Michigan. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above