Rainbow Smelt (Noun)
Meaning 1
Common smelt of eastern North America and Alaska.
Classification
Nouns denoting foods and drinks.
Examples
- The rainbow smelt is a common sight in the waters of the Great Lakes, school by the thousands in the spring to spawn.
- Rainbow smelt invaded the Great Lakes in the early 20th century through the Welland Canal, which was constructed in 1829.
- Commercial fishermen in Maine harvest thousands of pounds of rainbow smelt each year for use as fishmeal and for sale as bait.
- Some species of waterfowl have begun to rely on rainbow smelt as an essential component of their diets.
- Adult rainbow smelt that have been introduced to an eastern North American lake and grow in abundance there can have varied feeding habits.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Important marine and landlocked food fish of eastern North America and Alaska.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Rainbow smelt are an important marine and landlocked food fish of eastern North America and Alaska, supporting commercial and recreational fisheries.
- The rainbow smelt is a critical component of the aquatic food chain, serving as a vital link between zooplankton and larger predators.
- Lake Superior's rainbow smelt population has been declining in recent years, impacting the entire ecosystem.
- Freshly caught rainbow smelt are often breaded and deep-fried, making them a beloved local delicacy in coastal communities.
- Conservation efforts are underway to protect the rainbow smelt's spawning habitats and mitigate the effects of climate change on their populations.