gill raker

noun

: any of the bony processes on a gill arch that divert solid substances away from the gills

Examples of gill raker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Morphological characteristics of the fish were measured – the size of their eyes; aspects of their gill rakers, cartilaginous appendages fish use to capture tiny invertebrates; fin lengths, jaw shapes, and more. Keith Matheny, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024 The only differences between the two species are the number of gill rakers and ray fins, which are difficult to count. Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2024 Researchers found a new kind of amphipod living in the gill rakers of a female whale shark's mouth, according to a paper describing the new species in the journal Species Diversity. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 29 Oct. 2019 With spongelike gill rakers, the silver carp specialize in filtering microscopic algae, even outcompeting accompanying schools of bighead carp. Tony Briscoe, chicagotribune.com, 12 Aug. 2019 Tiny beads of glass caught in its gill rakers suggest that the creature perished while gasping for air as fire rained from the sky. David Von Drehle, Twin Cities, 22 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gill raker was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near gill raker

Cite this Entry

“Gill raker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gill%20raker. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

gill raker

noun
: any of the bony spines on the gill arch of a fish that prevent solid particles from entering the gills
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!