sturgeon

noun

stur·​geon ˈstər-jən 

: any of a family (Acipenseridae) of usually large elongate anadromous or freshwater bony fishes which are widely distributed in the north temperate zone and whose roe is made into caviar

Examples of sturgeon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With plans to be situated at the mouth of its namesake river, the Yangtze River Estuary Chinese Sturgeon Nature Preserve is a prospective educational aquarium and research facility aimed at repopulating the country's sturgeon and finless porpoise populations. —Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024

Fun fact: The Atlantic sturgeon is the James River's largest and longest-lived resident, according to JRA. —Karri Peifer, Axios, 30 Sep. 2024

Staff with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries division recently caught a 72.5-inch long lake sturgeon on Lake St. Clair, a record find. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2024

Swimming around in Lake St. Clair are some massive lake sturgeon — and Michigan officials just got one on record. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estourgeoun, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English styria sturgeon

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sturgeon

noun

stur·​geon ˈstər-jən 

: any of various usually large long-bodied fishes having a thick skin covered with rows of bony plates that are valued especially for their eggs which are made into caviar