pupfish

noun

pup·​fish ˈpəp-ˌfish How to pronounce pupfish (audio)
: any of several killifishes (especially genus Cyprinodon of the family Cyprinodontidae) especially of warm streams and springs of the western U.S.

Examples of pupfish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scientists found 191 pupfish in April — the highest spring count since 1999. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 The Devils Hole pupfish is trying to rebound after a natural disaster. — Kelli Bender, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Both the Desert Museum and the Phoenix Zoo have committed to taking in turtles, pupfish, and snails as needed. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026 The hardy pupfish are capable of surviving harsh temperatures and severe water conditions that would kill most other fish species, but their population has declined primarily due to habitat loss. — Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pupfish

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pupfish was in 1949

Rhymes for pupfish

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Browse Nearby Words

pupation
pupfish
Pupidae
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Cite this Entry

“Pupfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pupfish. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pupfish

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pupfish

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