baitfish
noun
bait·fish
ˈbāt-ˌfish 
: a small fish (such as a golden shiner or menhaden) that attracts and is a food source for a larger game fish
also
: a fish used for bait
Examples of baitfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Atop the coral was a cloud of small baitfish surrounding a very pretty lionfish.
—
Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Across the road, António serves up Goan small plates like crispy baitfish, squid stuffed with prawn balchao, and rissois, or local empanadas stuffed with meat or mushrooms.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024
Officials advise that large schools of baitfish near the shore often signal the presence of a predator.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 5 July 2024
On bright sunny days, schools of baitfish will move to the top of the water column to feed on phytoplankton.
—Kubie Brown, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for baitfish
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Across the road, António serves up Goan small plates like crispy baitfish, squid stuffed with prawn balchao, and rissois, or local empanadas stuffed with meat or mushrooms.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024
Officials advise that large schools of baitfish near the shore often signal the presence of a predator.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 5 July 2024
On bright sunny days, schools of baitfish will move to the top of the water column to feed on phytoplankton.
—Kubie Brown, Outdoor Life, 3 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for baitfish
Cite this Entry
“Baitfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baitfish. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share