halibut

noun

hal·​i·​but ˈha-lə-bət How to pronounce halibut (audio)
 also  ˈhä-
plural halibut also halibuts
: any of several marine flatfishes (especially Hippoglossus hippoglossus of the Atlantic and H. stenolepis of the Pacific) that are widely used for food and include some of the largest bony fishes

Did you know?

Among the different kinds of fish found in the world’s oceans is a group called the flatfish. Flatfish are well named, for they have flattened bodies with both eyes on the upper side of the head. In Middle English the word for flatfish was butte. During the Middle Ages, fish was often eaten on holy days in place of meat. The most popular fish for the holy days was the largest variety of flatfish, or “butte.” Thus, this particular fish came to be called in Middle English halybutte, meaning literally “holy flatfish,” from haly, a form of holy, and butte. In modern English the spelling has been changed to halibut.

Examples of halibut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His seasonal menu features mole verde, halibut en pipian, a sublime birria de res and an infladita with beef birria, cheese foam and arbol salsa. Brock Keeling, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024 Ask your fishmonger for halibut from the Channel Islands, or try the fish markets in Ventura, Santa Barbara, or elsewhere up the coast. Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024 The French feast that followed—filet de boeuf au poivre, halibut au beurre blanc, and poulet fermier croustillant—defied any assumptions about the light fare so often served at fashion week fetes. Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2024 There will always be crudo on the menu, whether that’s local halibut or scallop or salmon, and occasionally a sea urchin. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2024 That’s because halibut, in particular, has a beautiful tendency to soak up all the flavors its cooked in. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2024 Emerald Seafood Chowder Spinach and parsley lend verdant color and nutrition to this soup that calls for your pick of white fish, such as cod or halibut, and scallops. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024 Foie gras and halibut are top-notch, according to Mayo, not to mention the Heath Bar bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 For the entree, mushroom pappardelle, prime rib, dungeness crab and halibut are available. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halibut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English halybutte, from haly, holy holy + butte flatfish, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German but; from its being eaten on holy days

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halibut was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near halibut

Cite this Entry

“Halibut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halibut. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

halibut

noun
hal·​i·​but ˈhal-ə-bət How to pronounce halibut (audio)
ˈhäl-
plural halibut also halibuts
: either of two marine food fishes of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans that are the largest flatfishes reaching several hundred pounds
Etymology

Middle English halybutte, literally, "holy flatfish," from haly "holy" and butte "flatfish"; so called from the fact it was regularly eaten on holy days

Word Origin
Among the different kinds of fish found in the world's oceans is a group called the flatfish. Flatfish are well named, for they have flattened bodies with both eyes on the upper side of the head. In Middle English the word for flatfish was butte. Many of the flatfish are good to eat, and the largest of the flatfish got its name because it was popular as food. During the Middle Ages fish was often eaten on holy days in place of meat. The most popular fish for the holy days was the largest variety of flatfish, or "butte." Thus, this particular fish came to be called in Middle English halybutte, meaning literally "holy flatfish," from haly, a form of holy, and butte. In Modern English the spelling has been changed to halibut.

More from Merriam-Webster on halibut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!