lamprey

noun

lam·​prey ˈlam-prē How to pronounce lamprey (audio)
-ˌprā
plural lampreys
: any of a family (Petromyzontidae) of eel-shaped freshwater or anadromous jawless fishes that include those cyclostomes having well-developed eyes and a large disk-shaped suctorial mouth armed with horny teeth

called also lamprey eel

Examples of lamprey 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.
The lamprey is a jawless, eel-like predator that lives in rivers and has been around for 360 million years. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 In Lake Ontario, treatments stopped entirely for one year, and the number of lampreys increased tenfold. — Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 Sea lampreys are parasites, feeding by attaching to fish with their suction mouth, using their tongue to rasp a hole through the fish's skin, and consuming the blood and juices that flow out. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 15 Dec. 2025 Mincemeat pies, crane, swan, brawn (terrine made with a pig’s head and served with mustard), goose and lamprey pie, and even porpoise (served dressed with vinegar and breadcrumbs) were all popular holiday fare. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lamprey

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lampreie, from Medieval Latin lampreda

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lamprey was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing lamprey

Browse Nearby Words

lamppost
lamprey
Lamprididae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lamprey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lamprey. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lamprey

noun
lam·​prey ˈlam-prē How to pronounce lamprey (audio)
-ˌprā
plural lampreys
: any of a family of jawless fishes that resemble eels and have a large sucking mouth with horny teeth

More from Merriam-Webster on lamprey

Nglish: Translation of lamprey for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lamprey

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