longliner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Maritime
Quick answer
What does “longliner” mean?
A fishing vessel or fisherman that uses a longline – a main fishing line with many baited hooks attached at intervals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fishing vessel or fisherman that uses a longline – a main fishing line with many baited hooks attached at intervals.
By extension, can refer to someone employed on or involved in the operation of such a vessel. The term can also refer to the vessel itself (a longliner).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is identical in maritime contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. Associated with commercial fishing, often for species like tuna, halibut, or cod.
Frequency
Equally rare in general English but standard within the fishing industries of the UK, US, Canada, Norway, etc.
Grammar
How to Use “longliner” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] longliner [VERBed] in the [BODY OF WATER].A longliner from [PORT/COUNTRY] caught [NUMBER] tonnes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longliner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fishermen decided to longline for hake.
- We've been longlining off the Hebrides for years.
American English
- They plan to longline for swordfish.
- The fleet longlines in these waters every spring.
adverb
British English
- They fish longline in the deep water.
- The boat was rigged longline.
American English
- They were fishing longline about fifty miles out.
- The vessel was set up longline.
adjective
British English
- The longline fishery is heavily regulated.
- They use longline gear for sustainable fishing.
American English
- Longline fishing requires a special permit.
- They studied bycatch in the longline industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of the fishing industry, seafood supply chains, and maritime commerce.
Academic
Used in marine biology, fisheries science, oceanography, and economic geography papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside fishing communities.
Technical
Standard term in fishing gear technology, maritime regulations, and fishery management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “longliner”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “longliner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longliner”
- Spelling: 'long liner' (two words) is less common for the vessel/fisherman, though sometimes used. The solid 'longliner' is standard.
- Confusion: Mistaking it for a 'liner' (passenger ship) due to the '-liner' suffix.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised term used almost exclusively within the commercial fishing industry and related fields.
Yes, it can refer to a fisherman who works on a longline vessel, though it more commonly refers to the vessel itself.
A longliner uses a static baited line, while a trawler actively drags a net (a trawl) through the water.
It can be more selective than some methods (like trawling) but still faces issues with bycatch of non-target species like seabirds, turtles, and sharks. Sustainability depends on specific gear modifications and practices.
A fishing vessel or fisherman that uses a longline – a main fishing line with many baited hooks attached at intervals.
Longliner is usually technical/maritime in register.
Longliner: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋlaɪnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːŋlaɪnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A LONG fishing LINE with hundreds of hooks – the boat that uses it is a LONG-LINE-R.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining feature of a 'longliner'?