gillnet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+ / Low frequencyTechnical / Fishing industry
Quick answer
What does “gillnet” mean?
A fishing net set vertically in the water so that fish are caught by their gills when they try to swim through it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fishing net set vertically in the water so that fish are caught by their gills when they try to swim through it.
The word primarily refers to the net itself or the method of fishing using such nets. It can also describe the act of fishing with a gillnet (verb form). The practice is regulated in many areas to prevent bycatch and overfishing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Spelling is consistent. Regulations, species targeted, and specific gear terminology (e.g., types of buoys) may vary by region.
Connotations
Generally neutral/technical. Can have negative connotations in environmental contexts due to bycatch concerns.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used almost exclusively within fishing, maritime, environmental, or regulatory contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gillnet” in a Sentence
to gillnet (for fish)to set/place/lay a gillnetto fish with a gillnetto be caught in a gillnetto ban/restrict gillnettingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gillnet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Local fishermen are no longer permitted to gillnet in this estuary.
- They've been gillnetting for salmon for generations.
American English
- The tribe has a treaty right to gillnet for steelhead.
- Gillnetting was banned to protect the dolphin population.
adverb
British English
- N/A. Not used adverbially.
American English
- N/A. Not used adverbially.
adjective
British English
- The gillnet fishery is subject to strict seasonal closures.
- They operate a small gillnet vessel.
American English
- Gillnet regulations vary from state to state.
- The report documented gillnet bycatch of sea turtles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the fishing industry for logistics, catch reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Academic
Used in marine biology, fisheries science, environmental studies, and maritime history papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in news about fishing quotas, environmental protests, or local community issues.
Technical
Standard term in fisheries management, gear technology, maritime law, and conservation biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gillnet”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gillnet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gillnet”
- Misspelling as 'gilnet' or 'gill net' (though 'gill net' is an acceptable variant).
- Using it as a generic term for any fishing net.
- Pronouncing 'gill' as in 'Gillian' (/dʒɪl/) instead of /ɡɪl/ (like the fish organ).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes and no. It is selective based on mesh size (only fish of a certain girth get caught), but it is non-selective regarding species, leading to bycatch.
A gillnet is a static, passive net that fish swim into. A trawl net is an active net that is towed through the water or along the seabed to scoop up fish.
Yes, 'to gillnet' means to fish using a gillnet. The related activity is called 'gillnetting'.
They are often banned or restricted due to concerns over bycatch (catching non-target species like dolphins, turtles, or seabirds) and ghost fishing (nets lost at sea that continue to catch and kill wildlife).
A fishing net set vertically in the water so that fish are caught by their gills when they try to swim through it.
Gillnet is usually technical / fishing industry in register.
Gillnet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪlnɛt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɪlˌnɛt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. This is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FISH GILLS getting caught in a NET: GILL + NET.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A. This is a concrete, technical object.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining feature of a gillnet?