trash fish

noun

1
2
: a usually marine fish having little or no market value as human food but used sometimes in the production of fish meal

Examples of trash fish 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.
Until fairly recently, these toothy critters were vilified by anglers as a trash fish that ate more desirable game fish like bass and crappie. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 7 May 2026 Once extremely common but rejected by most for its slimy ugliness, it was thought of as a trash fish, judged suitable only for dog food. T.w. Pietsch, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022 And his plan to beat the coronavirus relies on history’s trash fish. Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 31 Dec. 2020 Truth is, trash fish, or rough fish, often save the day when more civilized species like bass and trout won’t co-oper-ate. Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 2 Aug. 2019 Numerous campaigns by environmental groups are looking to rebrand trash fish. Ret Talbot, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trash fish was in 1944

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Cite this Entry

“Trash fish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trash%20fish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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