/king"fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) kingfish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) kingfishes .
1. any of several marine food fishes of the drum family, esp. of the genus Menticirrhus, found off the E coast of the U.S.
2. Also called white croaker . a marine food fish, Genyonemus lineatus, found off the Californian coast.
3. See king mackerel .
4. a large game fish, Seriola grandis, found in Australia and New Zealand, closely related to the yellowtail.
5. any of various other fishes noted esp. for their size.
6. Informal. a person regarded as a leader or authority: a kingfish in Democratic party circles.
[ 1740-50; KING + FISH ]