Search Dictionary
Definition of patagonian toothfish
patagonian toothfish
Plural:Patagonian toothfish
patagonian toothfish Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, deep-water species of cod icefish native to the cold oceanic waters of the Southern Hemisphere, highly valued commercially for its rich, oily white meat.
Example
"Due to severe overfishing in the Southern Ocean, strict international regulations have been implemented to protect vulnerable populations of Patagonian toothfish."
Word Nuance & Usage
In commercial and culinary contexts, the Patagonian toothfish is almost universally marketed and sold under the more appetizing trade name 'Chilean sea bass', despite not being a true bass.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from its primary historical fishing grounds near Patagonia at the southern tip of South America, and its prominent, sharp teeth used for catching prey.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Patagonian toothfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/patagonian toothfish