plural herring or herrings
1
: either of two food fishes (genus Clupea):
a
: one (C. harengus) that is abundant in the temperate and colder parts of the North Atlantic and that in the adult state is preserved by smoking or salting and in the young state is extensively canned and sold as sardines
b
: one (C. pallasi synonym C. h. pallasi) of the North Pacific harvested especially for its roe
2
: any of a large family (Clupeidae) of soft-finned bony fishes (such as the herrings, shads, sardines, and menhadens) that have a laterally compressed body and a forked tail and usually occur in schools
Examples of herring in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Salmon and Other Fatty Fish Another food rich in omega-3 fatty acids is fatty fish, which include salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and tuna.
—
Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 July 2025
The Northern Gannets of Canada, for example, act as apex predators for the ocean, Avery-Gomm says, feasting on fish such as mackerel and herring.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 15 July 2025
But the herring and kelp gull pair in Wisconsin has now earned that distinction.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
Research shows that herring are packed with vitamin E, vitamin D, and B12, as well as minerals like selenium, iodine, calcium, and iron.10
Herring is low in toxins like lead, cadmium, and mercury, making herring a nutritious and safe seafood option to add to your diet.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for herring
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Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 July 2025
The Northern Gannets of Canada, for example, act as apex predators for the ocean, Avery-Gomm says, feasting on fish such as mackerel and herring.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 15 July 2025
But the herring and kelp gull pair in Wisconsin has now earned that distinction.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 July 2025
Research shows that herring are packed with vitamin E, vitamin D, and B12, as well as minerals like selenium, iodine, calcium, and iron.10
Herring is low in toxins like lead, cadmium, and mercury, making herring a nutritious and safe seafood option to add to your diet.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for herring
Cite this Entry
“Herring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herring. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herring
noun
her·ring
ˈher-iŋ 
plural herring or herrings
: a valuable food fish that is very common in the north Atlantic Ocean
also
: any of various fishes like this one or related to it
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