silver carp

noun

plural silver carp also silver carps
: a freshwater cyprinid fish (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) of eastern Asia that is silvery-gray with a white belly and that has been introduced into non-native waters where it is often considered an invasive (see invasive entry 1 sense 1a) species
Day by day, fishermen have lately been reporting sightings of the once-infrequently seen silver carp springing like torpedoes from rivers in the Mississippi basin when outboard motor boats pass.Peter T. Kilborn

Note: Silver carp, along with the related bighead carp, black carp, and grass carp are often called Asian carp in the U.S.

Examples of silver carp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Bighead and silver carp are currently the biggest threat to the Great Lakes. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2024 Boaters and anglers are encouraged to report sightings or harvest of bighead and silver carp to WFF’s Fisheries Section by phone at 256-353-2634 or by email at asiancarp@dcnr.alabama.gov. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 In mid-August, Banaszak arrowed a 31.3-pound silver carp in the Red River. Outdoor Life, 7 Sep. 2023 Signs are being installed at public boat ramps along the Tennessee River in north Alabama to help boaters and anglers identify the fish - bighead and silver carp – if they are seen or harvested from the river. Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 Black, bighead, grass and silver carp occupy numerous lakes, rivers and streams. Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2023 Officials pulled an invasive silver carp from the waters of Lake Calumet on the city’s Far South Side Thursday. Stephanie Casanova, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Last year, a silver carp made it all the way to Lake Calumet, just 7 miles from Lake Michigan. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2023 Siwik had already snagged about 20 silver carp, the invasive species known for jumping out the water. Mike Organ, USA TODAY, 3 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silver carp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silver carp was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near silver carp

Cite this Entry

“Silver carp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silver%20carp. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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