Illustration of triggerfish
triggerfish
noun
trig·ger·fish ˈtri-gər-ˌfish 
: any of various deep-bodied bony fishes (family Balistidae, especially genus Balistes) of warm seas having an anterior dorsal fin with two or three stout erectile spines
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Eventually, it was determined the animal was likely a triggerfish. 
Michael Hollan, Fox News, 5 Aug. 2021 Anglers landing greater amberjack or gray triggerfish are required to report their catches via the state’s Snapper Check system. al, 30 July 2021 The upshot: The window in which anglers can go out for red snapper, greater amberjack and triggerfish is likely to stay open for a while. al, 30 July 2021 The eels share this safe spot with tangs, triggerfish, grouper and more. Jeanne Houck, Cincinnati.com, 2 Mar. 2020 Among them, for example, size limits for yellowtail snapper would increase from 12 inches to 14 inches, red grouper from 20 inches to 24 inches and gray triggerfish from 12 inches to 14 inches. Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Expect harissa seasons carrots, triggerfish garnished with marcona almond, and lamb loin with farro tabouli—and don't skip the house dirty martini, made with pickled tomato juice. Stephanie Burt, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2018 David Mann, a 35-year-old visitor from Colorado, caught eight fish including triggerfish, sea bass, tilapia and rockfish on a four-hour April trip. Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, 25 June 2018 The haul on a trip with his grandson Zane in April: five triggerfish and a sea trout. Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, 25 June 2018 See More
Michael Hollan, Fox News, 5 Aug. 2021 Anglers landing greater amberjack or gray triggerfish are required to report their catches via the state’s Snapper Check system. al, 30 July 2021 The upshot: The window in which anglers can go out for red snapper, greater amberjack and triggerfish is likely to stay open for a while. al, 30 July 2021 The eels share this safe spot with tangs, triggerfish, grouper and more. Jeanne Houck, Cincinnati.com, 2 Mar. 2020 Among them, for example, size limits for yellowtail snapper would increase from 12 inches to 14 inches, red grouper from 20 inches to 24 inches and gray triggerfish from 12 inches to 14 inches. Kevin Spear, orlandosentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Expect harissa seasons carrots, triggerfish garnished with marcona almond, and lamb loin with farro tabouli—and don't skip the house dirty martini, made with pickled tomato juice. Stephanie Burt, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2018 David Mann, a 35-year-old visitor from Colorado, caught eight fish including triggerfish, sea bass, tilapia and rockfish on a four-hour April trip. Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, 25 June 2018 The haul on a trip with his grandson Zane in April: five triggerfish and a sea trout. Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, 25 June 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined above