# cisco

/ˈsɪsˌkoʊ/ (US) · /sˈɪskəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cisco
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. freshwater fish

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of fish that lives in cold lakes in North America.

For teachers: any of several North American freshwater fish of the genus Coregonus, typically found in cold-water lakes.

- The local fishermen caught several cisco in the deep, cold waters of the lake.
- Ecologists monitored the cisco population in Lake Superior to determine how rising water temperatures were affecting the cold-water species' spawning habits.

Usage: Usually treated as a countable noun, though the plural can be 'cisco' or 'ciscoes'.

### 2. technology company

noun · CEFR B2

a large American company that makes the equipment used to run the internet and computer networks.

For teachers: Cisco Systems, Inc.; a prominent multinational corporation specialising in networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and high-technology services.

- The office just installed new Cisco routers to make the internet faster.
- The network administrator recommended upgrading to Cisco hardware to ensure better security and reliability across the corporate infrastructure.

## Examples

- The fisherman caught a small cisco in the lake today.
- Local restaurants often serve smoked cisco as a regional delicacy during the autumn fishing season.
- Ecologists are monitoring the cisco population closely, as these fish serve as a vital link in the food web between plankton and larger predatory species like lake trout.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.