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Definition of tilapia

tilapia

/tɪˈlɑːpiə/
ti · la · pi · a
Plural:tilapias
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tilapia Lexical Profile

tilapia Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The mild, white, and flaky flesh of this fish, widely consumed globally as an inexpensive and versatile seafood.

Example

"For dinner, the chef prepared pan-seared tilapia served with a side of roasted asparagus and quinoa."

2

A freshwater fish belonging to the cichlid family, native to Africa and the Middle East, characterized by its rapid growth, adaptability, and major significance in global aquaculture.

Example

"The researchers monitored the oxygen levels in the ponds where the Nile tilapia were being farmed."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tilapia

• Nearby Words

tigris
tijuana
tikka masala
tilapia
tilburg
tile
tilefish

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Modern Latin in 1840 by Scottish zoologist Andrew Smith, originating from the Tswana word 'thlape', meaning 'fish'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tilapia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tilapia
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