herring

noun

her·​ring ˈher-iŋ 

ˈhe-riŋ

plural herring or herrings

1

: either of two food fishes (genus Clupeus):

a

: one (C. harengus) that is abundant in the temperate and colder parts of the North Atlantic and that in the adult state is preserved by smoking or salting and in the young state is extensively canned and sold as sardines

b

: one (C. pallasi synonym C. h. pallasi) of the North Pacific harvested especially for its roe

2

: any of a large family (Clupeidae) of soft-finned bony fishes (such as the herrings, shads, sardines, and menhadens) that have a laterally compressed body and a forked tail and usually occur in schools

Examples of herring in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Form: Softgel Type: Ethyl ester Dose: 200 mg DHA Third-Party Tested: Yes Servings Per Container: 110 Benefits of a DHA Supplement Before, During, and After Pregnancy Fatty fish like salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel are the best sources of DHA. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 6 May 2024

After all, their livelihoods depend on the sustainability of the herring, most of which is shipped for use as bait in New England lobster pots. —USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hering, from Old English hǣring; akin to Old High German hārinc herring

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing herring

• blueback herring
• herring gull
• lake herring
• red herring

Kids Definition

herring

noun

her·​ring ˈher-iŋ 

plural herring or herrings

: a valuable food fish that is very common in the north Atlantic Ocean

also : any of various fishes like this one or related to it