marlin

1 of 2

noun (1)

mar·​lin ˈmär-lən How to pronounce marlin (audio)
: any of several large marine billfishes (genera Makaira and Kajikia) that are notable sport fishes

marlin

2 of 2

noun (2)

mar·​lin

less common spelling of marline

: a small usually tarred line of two strands twisted loosely left-handed that is used especially for seizing and as a covering for wire rope

Examples of marlin 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.
Noun
About 30 minutes later Mourmouras struck the swordfish with a second harpoon with a detachable dart head, which works much like a flying gaff for other big gamefish species such as marlin. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026 According to the International Game Fish Association, the marlin fell just 142 pounds short of the all tackle world-record Atlantic blue marlin caught off Brazil in 1992. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026 That night, Valencia, the vessel’s captain, set out with a crew of nine from Jaramijó, Ecuador, for what was expected to be a typical three-week voyage, casting lines for shark, marlin, and tuna. — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 Kiko’s also dishes out a variety of other seafood tacos, including octopus, shrimp, smoked marlin and mahi mahi. — Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for marlin

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for marlinspike; from the appearance of its beak

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marlin was in 1917

Phrases Containing marlin

Rhymes for marlin

See All Rhymes for marlin

Browse Nearby Words

marli
marlin
marline
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Cite this Entry

“Marlin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marlin. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

marlin

noun
mar·​lin ˈmär-lən How to pronounce marlin (audio)
: any of several large saltwater sport fishes related to sailfishes

More from Merriam-Webster on marlin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marlin

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