Definition

Noun A device made of meshed material (such as cord or rope) designed to catch aquatic animals, primarily fish, by entangling, trapping, or enclosing them when it is drawn through the water or pulled to shore.

Usage

A "fishing net" is a tool used in the activity of fishing. It is typically deployed from a boat or the shore and then retrieved to capture the fish within it. - The fishermen cast the large fishing net into the sea at dawn. - They hauled in the fishing net, hoping for a good catch. - The use of certain types of fishing nets is regulated to protect marine life.

Advanced Usage

• "to set a fishing net": to position or deploy a net in the water.
  • The crew set the fishing net across the mouth of the river.
• "to mend a fishing net": to repair holes or tears in the mesh.
  • The old sailor spent the afternoon mending his fishing net.

Variants and Related Words

• Net (n): A more general term for an open-meshed fabric; "fishing net" is a specific type of net.
• Seine (n): A specific type of fishing net that hangs vertically in the water with floats and weights.
• Trawl net (n): A large, conical fishing net towed behind a boat.
• Gillnet (n): A vertical panel of netting designed so that fish get their gills caught in the mesh.

Synonyms

• Trawl: A net used for trawling.
• Seine: A fishing net for surrounding fish.
• Dragnet: A net drawn along the bottom or through the water to catch fish.

Related Phrases

• Cast a net: To throw a net out over the water.
  • He learned how to cast a net from his grandfather.
• Drift net: A fishing net that is allowed to drift with the tide or current.
  • International agreements have banned the use of large drift nets.

Noun

1. a net that will enclose fish when it is pulled in