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Definition of paddlefish

paddlefish

/ˈpæd.əl.fɪʃ/
pad · dle · fish

Plural:paddlefish
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paddlefish Lexical Profile

paddlefish Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, primitive freshwater fish of the family Polyodontidae, characterized by a predominantly cartilaginous skeleton, nearly scale-less skin, and a long, distinctive paddle-shaped snout. The surviving species is native to the Mississippi River basin in North America.

Example

"Conservationists are monitoring the American paddlefish population to prevent them from becoming endangered like their Chinese counterparts."

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 18th century: A compound of 'paddle' and 'fish', named for the distinctive elongated, spatula-like shape of its snout (rostrum).

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paddlefish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paddlefish
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