bluegill

noun

blue·​gill ˈblü-ˌgil How to pronounce bluegill (audio)
: a common sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) of the eastern and central U.S. sought for food and sport

Examples of bluegill 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.
Or, stick to the shore and fish for bluegill, walleye, or pike. — Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026 By Lents’s reckoning, bluegill sunfish come in four genders, one of which is female and the other three male. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 The lake supports a diverse community that includes northern pike, walleye, bluegill and other species. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026 Over time, the pond filled with bass and bluegill and became a magnet for wildlife — blue herons, cranes, geese, mallards, and the kind of nighttime soundtrack that makes the place feel far removed from suburbia. — David Caraccio may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bluegill

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bluegill was in 1877

Rhymes for bluegill

See All Rhymes for bluegill

Browse Nearby Words

blue giant
bluegill
blue ginseng
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bluegill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bluegill. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bluegill

noun
blue·​gill ˈblü-ˌgil How to pronounce bluegill (audio)
: a common food and sport sunfish of the eastern and central U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on bluegill

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bluegill

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