minnow

noun

min·​now ˈmi-(ˌ)nō 

plural minnows also minnow

1

a

: a small cyprinid, killifish, or topminnow

b

: any of various small fish that are less than a designated size and are not game fish

2

: a live or artificial minnow used as bait

Examples of minnow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid discussions about how to keep the peace in Ukraine in the event of a settlement, the government in Ireland – a military minnow focused on peacekeeping operations – put forward legislation to allow troops to be deployed without UN approval, skirting a possible Russian (or American) veto. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025

As many as 28 others entered the two-round two-legged playoffs, ranging from giants such as Sweden and Norway to minnows like Luxembourg and Georgia. —Neel Shelat, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Our collections include thousands of vertebrae, teeth and scales representing both large fish and minnows. —Kristi Curry Rogers, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

But some of their most common prey items include minnows, crayfish, insects, and amphibians. —Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menawe; akin to Old English myne minnow, Old High German munewa, a kind of fish

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

minnow

noun

min·​now ˈmin-ō 

plural minnows also minnow

: any of various small freshwater fishes (as a dace or shiner) related to the carps

also : any of various small fishes that resemble minnows