mackerel

noun

mack·​er·​el ˈma-k(ə-)rəl How to pronounce mackerel (audio)
plural mackerel or mackerels
1
: a scombroid fish (Scomber scombrus of the family Scombridae) of the North Atlantic that is green above with dark blue bars and silvery below and is a commercially important food fish
2
: any of various fishes (such as the wahoo and king mackerel) in the same family as the mackerel especially when distinguished from the related bonito or tuna by a comparatively smaller size

Illustration of mackerel

Illustration of mackerel
  • mackerel 1

Examples of mackerel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to a February 2021 study published in Environment International, Atlantic mackerel and herring were great sources of vitamin D. Ella Quittner, Health, 9 Feb. 2024 With preparations like Spanish paprika mackerel and spicy white anchovies in extra virgin olive oil, each BPA-free tin is packed with so much flavor, the fish doesn’t need any accompaniments. Anna Haines, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 First, Japanese mackerel with pickled radish, cucumber, and Osetra caviar, followed by salt cod with crispy potato, onion, parsley, and white truffle. Liz Cantrell, Travel + Leisure, 26 Dec. 2023 The Rainbow Tomatoes Garden website advertises muscles nestled alongside allspice and bay leaf, mackerel with coriander and juniper, and white tuna stuffed inside sweet red peppers. Michael Dobuski, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2023 Among the delicacies soaring: Persian herbed stew, Danish chocolate and Japanese mackerel. Marcia Dunn, al, 26 Aug. 2023 Two kinds of wild Sicilian mackerel — sgombro, or small mackerel, and sugarello horse mackerel fillets packed in extra virgin olive oil — are now being imported. Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023 Ikegami orders the mackerel, and within minutes, chef Doi-san passes the sushi across the counter. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2023 Larger trawlers that fish further off the coast for mackerel and herring, among other fish, are also affected; their fishing season has been nearly halved. Megan Specia Finbarr O’Reilly, New York Times, 31 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mackerel.' 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 makerel, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near mackerel

Cite this Entry

“Mackerel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mackerel. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mackerel

noun
mack·​er·​el ˈmak-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce mackerel (audio)
plural mackerel or mackerels
1
: a North Atlantic food fish that is green with blue bars above and silvery below
2
: any of various usually small or medium-sized fishes related to the mackerel

More from Merriam-Webster on mackerel

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