plural herring or herrings
1
: either of two food fishes (genus Clupea):
a
: one (C. harengus) that is abundant in the temperate and colder parts of the North Atlantic and that in the adult state is preserved by smoking or salting and in the young state is extensively canned and sold as sardines
b
: one (C. pallasi synonym C. h. pallasi) of the North Pacific harvested especially for its roe
2
: any of a large family (Clupeidae) of soft-finned bony fishes (such as the herrings, shads, sardines, and menhadens) that have a laterally compressed body and a forked tail and usually occur in schools
Examples of herring in a Sentence
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Research shows that herring are packed with vitamin E, vitamin D, and B12, as well as minerals like selenium, iodine, calcium, and iron.10
Herring is low in toxins like lead, cadmium, and mercury, making herring a nutritious and safe seafood option to add to your diet.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
In Amsterdam, Rosenthal savors herring, smoked eel, pancakes and stroopwafel, as well as dines with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie.
—Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Some 134,000 tons of frozen pelagic fish — such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and herring — are thawed and tossed into European tuna cages every year.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Its successor has since entered use, most recently allowing herring to bypass a spillway for the first time in 80 years.
—New Atlas, 12 May 2025
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Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
In Amsterdam, Rosenthal savors herring, smoked eel, pancakes and stroopwafel, as well as dines with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie.
—Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Some 134,000 tons of frozen pelagic fish — such as sardines, anchovies, mackerel, sprats and herring — are thawed and tossed into European tuna cages every year.
—Julia Amberger, Nanni Fontana, Marzio Mian, & Nicola Scevola (tr. Elettra Pauletto), The Dial, 3 Apr. 2025
Its successor has since entered use, most recently allowing herring to bypass a spillway for the first time in 80 years.
—New Atlas, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for herring
Cite this Entry
“Herring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herring. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herring
noun
her·ring
ˈher-iŋ 
plural herring or herrings
: a valuable food fish that is very common in the north Atlantic Ocean
also
: any of various fishes like this one or related to it
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