pipefish

noun

pipe·​fish ˈpīp-ˌfish How to pronounce pipefish (audio)
: any of various fishes (family Syngnathidae) that are related to the seahorses and have a tube-shaped snout and a long slender body covered with bony plates

Illustration of pipefish

Illustration of pipefish

Examples of pipefish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Male pipefish that were less interested in the pipefish mothers were less nurturing toward their young, investing fewer resources in them. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 19 June 2022 Unlike the seahorse, the related pipefish has a straight body and swims while attacking its prey. Patrick Morgan, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2011 Scientists say that sea dragons, sea horses and pipefish are the only animals on Earth whose males get pregnant and give birth. San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2023 Well clearly because Aquaman would look stupid on a pipefish. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2011 At Texas A&M, researcher Kimberly Paczolt mated Gulf pipefish in multiple trials. Emily Elert, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2010 Male pipefish can get pregnant and give birth, but their interest in being nurturing fathers might only last during the pregnancy. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 19 June 2022 Mustard had always wanted to capture the image of a colourful juvenile ghost pipefish but usually only found darker adults on matching feather stars. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 Male pipefish are always looking for bigger females. National Geographic, 14 June 2019

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

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pipefish was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near pipefish

Cite this Entry

“Pipefish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pipefish. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pipefish

noun
pipe·​fish ˈpīp-ˌfish How to pronounce pipefish (audio)
: any of various long slender fishes that are related to the sea horses and have a tube-shaped snout and a body covered with bony plates

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