plural pikeminnows also pikeminnow
: any of several large freshwater fishes (genus Ptychocheilus of the family Cyprinidae) of rivers and lakes of western North America that have a long body, deeply forked tail, and large toothless mouth, and that feed chiefly on insects and other fish

Note: This fish was formerly known as the squawfish but was officially renamed by the American Fisheries Society and Committee on Names of Fishes in 1998 due to the offensiveness of the historical name.

Examples of pikeminnow 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.
How to catch them: Northern pikeminnow are common throughout Idaho. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 On the bright side, pikeminnow are decent fighters that can reach sizes of 20 inches or more. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1998, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pikeminnow was in 1998

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Cite this Entry

“Pikeminnow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pikeminnow. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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