porcupine fish

noun

: any of several bony fishes (family Diodontidae) that have sharp spines covering the body and inflate themselves into a sphere when threatened

especially : a spotted chiefly tropical fish (Diodon hystrix) that is olive to brown above with white below

Examples of porcupine fish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This X-ray image shows a porcupine fish in its defensive posture--filled with water or air and deploying sharp spikes--and then in its normal, relaxed state. —Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

porcupine fish

noun

: any of several fish chiefly of tropical seas that have the body covered with spines and that can puff themselves up with air or water like a balloon when threatened