sculpin

noun

scul·​pin ˈskəl-pən 

plural sculpins also sculpin

1

: any of a superfamily (Cottoidea) of spiny large-headed usually bottom-dwelling often scaleless bony fishes with large fanlike pectoral fins

2

: a scorpion fish (Scorpaena guttata) of the southern California coast caught for food and sport

Illustration of sculpin

• sculpin 1

Examples of sculpin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several green and hawksbill turtles are darting in and out of a vibrant coral cliff with seemingly millions of species, from sculpins to sun coral and everything in between. —Scott Bay, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2024

The sculpin hat, or Wéix’ s’áaxw in Tlingit, had been at the museum since the 1880s. —Rachel Parsons, Scientific American, 29 June 2022

But on February 14, ODNR Communications Director Stephanie O’Grady told the Columbus Dispatch that most of the fish appeared to be suckers, darters, and sculpins. —Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 27 Feb. 2023

An estimated 3,500 fish -- such as minnows, darters and sculpin -- have died in creeks and rivers around the area, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sculpin

noun

scul·​pin ˈskəl-pən 

plural sculpins also sculpin

1

: any of numerous spiny large-headed usually scaleless fishes with fanlike fins

2

: a fish of the southern California coast that has poisonous spines on the fin on the back and is caught for food and sport