: a marine bony fish (Regalecus glesne) of subtropical waters with a narrow soft body from 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) long, a red dorsal fin running the entire length of the body, and red-tipped anterior rays rising above the head
Examples of oarfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scientists don’t know why these oarfish have died and washed ashore.
—
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Scientists believe the oarfish sightings could be related to changing ocean conditions but emphasize the need for further research.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
According to some media reports, oarfish have been associated in Japanese folklore with prophesies of doom — in particular, earthquakes.
—James Doubek, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
According to The Ocean Conservancy, an oarfish washing ashore could have a darker meaning.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
According to the Scripps Institution, oarfish are incredibly rare.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2024
This particular oarfish measured 12 feet long—though the biggest of the species can grow up to 36 feet long.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
The oarfish is one of only 20 of the species to have washed up in California since 1901, the organization noted.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024
And the California oarfish surfaced two days before a 4.4-magnitude earthquake rattled Los Angeles.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
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Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Scientists believe the oarfish sightings could be related to changing ocean conditions but emphasize the need for further research.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
According to some media reports, oarfish have been associated in Japanese folklore with prophesies of doom — in particular, earthquakes.
—James Doubek, NPR, 20 Nov. 2024
According to The Ocean Conservancy, an oarfish washing ashore could have a darker meaning.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
According to the Scripps Institution, oarfish are incredibly rare.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2024
This particular oarfish measured 12 feet long—though the biggest of the species can grow up to 36 feet long.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
The oarfish is one of only 20 of the species to have washed up in California since 1901, the organization noted.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024
And the California oarfish surfaced two days before a 4.4-magnitude earthquake rattled Los Angeles.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near oarfish
Cite this Entry
“Oarfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oarfish. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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