aquaculture
noun
aqua·cul·ture
ˈä-kwə-ˌkəl-chər 
ˈa-
variants
or less commonly aquiculture
: the cultivation of aquatic organisms (such as fish or shellfish) especially for food
aquaculture
transitive verb
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For most of the modern history of aquaculture, only costly fish and shellfish like salmon and shrimp were harvested. But new technologies are allowing cheaper and more efficient cultivation of fish for food, and such common fish as cod are now being farmed. Seaweeds and other algae are also being grown--for food (mostly in Asia), cattle feed, fertilizer, and experimentally as a source of energy. Aquaculture is now the world's fastest-growing form of food production.
Examples of aquaculture in a Sentence
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So with an industry with far-reaching potential, standardized quality controls, investment in sustainable aquaculture, and stronger integration into consumer supply chains will be necessary to propel this sector.
—
Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Paying the bills With her background in aquaculture, which produces more than half of the fish consumed globally, Nova Southeastern’s Figueiredo sees the massive potential in the coral factory concept.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
The fish were introduced in the 1960s to get rid of seaweed without using chemicals in aquaculture facilities and sewage ponds in Arkansas.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Beijing claims the structures are aquaculture facilities.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aquaculture
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Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Paying the bills With her background in aquaculture, which produces more than half of the fish consumed globally, Nova Southeastern’s Figueiredo sees the massive potential in the coral factory concept.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
The fish were introduced in the 1960s to get rid of seaweed without using chemicals in aquaculture facilities and sewage ponds in Arkansas.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Beijing claims the structures are aquaculture facilities.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aquaculture
Cite this Entry
“Aquaculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquaculture. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aquaculture
noun
aqua·cul·ture
ˈak-wə-ˌkəl-ˌchər
äk-
: the cultivation of living things (as fish or shellfish) naturally occurring in water
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