Search Dictionary
Definition of sea lamprey

sea lamprey

Plural:sea lampreys
JUMP TO:

• noun

1

A large, parasitic jawless fish native to the northern Atlantic Ocean and inland seas, characterized by its eel-like body and a circular, tooth-lined suction mouth used to feed on the blood and body fluids of other fish.

Example

"The invasion of the sea lamprey in the Great Lakes during the 20th century caused severe devastation to the native lake trout population."

Photo by Rob Foster / CC BY 4.0
Synonyms
View all synonyms for sea lamprey

• Nearby Words

sea holly
sea kale
sea krait
sea lamprey
sea lavender
sea lion
sea otter

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sea lamprey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sea-lamprey
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.