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DictionaryshadHerring-like fish
noun

shad

SHAD/ʃˈæd/

A herring-like fish valued for its flesh and roe.

The silvery shad swims upstream from the estuary into the river.

A shad swims upstream into a river from its open estuary, with its silvery, deep-bodied profile clearly visible and only minimal banks and water cues.
Etymology

The fish name’s origin is uncertain, though a Scandinavian connection is possible. Its seasonal runs upriver also supplied names for plants and animals active at the same time, such as shad-bush and shad-fly.

In context

The Bait Tank54:51
I usually go get shad.
Tiny Titans: How Minnows & Anglers Can Save Our Native Fish!

More examples

  • She serves baked shad with lemon and parsley.
  • Shad swim upstream in spring to spawn.
  • The chef fries shad roe in butter.

Forms

shad · shads