milt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Technical (Ichthyology, Fishing)
Quick answer
What does “milt” mean?
The seminal fluid of a male fish, containing sperm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The seminal fluid of a male fish, containing sperm.
Soft, fish-related organic material, such as the roe or spleen; as a verb: to fertilize fish eggs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. Usage is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical, somewhat archaic. Associated with fish breeding and culinary contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Almost exclusively found in specialized texts about fishing, aquaculture, or historical cooking.
Grammar
How to Use “milt” in a Sentence
to milt (fish) [VERB, transitive]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “milt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hatchery workers will milt the male trout to fertilise the eggs.
- It's crucial to milt the salmon at the right moment.
American English
- Technicians milt the male sturgeon to collect semen for artificial insemination.
- We need to milt these fish before they become stressed.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in biological/zoological papers on fish reproduction.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be encountered in high-end culinary contexts or by fishing enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in ichthyology, aquaculture, and fisheries science for male fish reproductive fluid/organs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “milt”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “milt”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “milt”
- Using 'milk' for fish (e.g., 'fish milk' is incorrect). Confusing 'milt' (male) with 'roe' (female).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Milt is the sperm or seminal fluid of male fish. Roe is the eggs of female fish. They are often paired in discussions of fish reproduction or cuisine.
Yes, in some culinary traditions, particularly Japanese (shirako), Mediterranean, and Eastern European, fish milt (often called 'soft roe') is consumed as a delicacy.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. The average English speaker is unlikely to know it unless they have an interest in fishing, biology, or niche culinary arts.
Yes, in technical contexts (e.g., fisheries, aquaculture), 'to milt' means to extract or release the milt from a male fish, typically for artificial fertilisation.
The seminal fluid of a male fish, containing sperm.
Milt is usually formal; technical (ichthyology, fishing) in register.
Milt: in British English it is pronounced /mɪlt/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪlt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It does not feature in idiomatic expressions.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MILK' for a male fish? No, it's MILT. Both are white fluids, but one is for baby fish.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; a highly specific literal term.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'milt' primarily associated with?