fishery

noun

fish·​ery ˈfi-shə-rē How to pronounce fishery (audio)
plural fisheries
1
: the occupation, industry, or season of taking fish or other sea animals (such as sponges, shrimp, or seals) : fishing
2
: a place for catching fish or taking other sea animals
3
: a fishing establishment
also : its fishermen
4
: the legal right to take fish at a particular place or in particular waters
5
: the technology of fishery
—usually used in plural

Examples of fishery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Kyne cautions against complacency, as bycatch in fisheries, expanding agricultural development and proposals to extract freshwater from northern rivers continue to threaten the nursery habitats young sawfish depend on. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Among the impacts the California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be monitoring, according to McGuire, are levels of the neurotoxin domoic acid, which in late 2015 forced the postponement of the opening of the Dungeness crab fishery season. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 It was verified by state DNR fisheries biologist Stephen Floyd, who certified her catch as the new pumpkinseed record. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 Conservation groups have long made the case that lobster and crab fisheries are both dangerous to the whales, and government agencies have acknowledged that entanglement in fishing gear is a critical threat to the giant animals. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fishery

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of fishery was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

fisherwoman
fishery
fishery salt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fishery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fishery. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fishery

noun
fish·​ery ˈfish-(ə-)rē How to pronounce fishery (audio)
plural fisheries
1
: the activity or business of fishing
2
: a place or establishment for catching fish

More from Merriam-Webster on fishery

Nglish: Translation of fishery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fishery

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