# herring

/ˈhɛɹɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɛɹɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the fish

noun · CEFR B2

a small, oily silver fish that lives in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.

For teachers: any of several small, silver-coloured oily fish of the family Clupeidae, particularly those of the genus Clupea.

- The fishermen returned to the harbour with nets full of fresh herring.
- Herring populations are vital to the marine food web, serving as a primary energy source for larger predators like cod and seals.

### 2. as food

noun · CEFR B2

the meat of this fish, often served pickled, smoked, or salted.

For teachers: the flesh of the herring used as food, frequently preserved through pickling, salting, or smoking.

- In many Northern European countries, people enjoy pickled herring for breakfast.
- The traditional platter featured smoked herring served alongside dark rye bread and a sharp mustard sauce.

## Examples

- The fisherman caught a large net full of herring.
- Pickled herring is a traditional staple in many Scandinavian and Northern European cuisines.
- The collapse of the local herring population had a devastating ripple effect on the entire marine ecosystem, as larger predators lost their primary source of sustenance.

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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.