starfish

noun

star·​fish ˈstär-ˌfish How to pronounce starfish (audio)
: any of a class (Asteroidea) of echinoderms that have a body of usually five arms radially arranged about a central disk and feed largely on mollusks (such as oysters)

called also sea star

Examples of starfish 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.
That's the smartest way to return starfish to the ocean. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 June 2026 Get up for a gorgeous sunrise and find starfish among the waves. — Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 29 June 2026 At low tide, the pools on Olympic beaches are rife with starfish and crabs. — Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026 The quilt features classic beach motifs like starfish, sand dollars, and seashells to make your guest bedroom feel like a summer escape. — Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for starfish

Word History

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of starfish was in 1538

Rhymes for starfish

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Browse Nearby Words

star field
starfish
starfish flower
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Cite this Entry

“Starfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starfish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

starfish

noun
star·​fish ˈstär-ˌfish How to pronounce starfish (audio)
: any of a class of echinoderms that have five arms arranged evenly around a central disk and feed largely on mollusks (as oysters)

More from Merriam-Webster on starfish

Nglish: Translation of starfish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about starfish

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