perch.
Any of the three species of spiny-finned freshwater fish in the genus Perca.
Meaning & usage
Any of the three species of spiny-finned freshwater fish in the genus Perca.
Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Acanthopagrus berda
Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Distichodus engycephalus, Distichodus rostratus
Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Johnius belangerii, Macquaria ambigua, Macquaria colonorum, Macquaria novemaculeata, Nemadactylus macropterus
Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Kyphosus azureus
Any of the about 200 related species of fish in the taxonomic family Percidae, especially: Lateolabrax japonicus, Tautogolabrus adspersus
Several similar species in the order Perciformes, such as the grouper.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *perḱ-der. Ancient Greek πέρκη (pérkē)der. Latin percader. Old French perchebor. Middle English perche English perch From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin perca, from Ancient Greek πέρκη (pérkē, “perch”), cognate with περκνός (perknós, “dark-spotted”). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *perḱ-, whence also Old English forn (“trout”), German Forelle (“trout”).
A rod, staff, tree branch, ledge, etc., used as a roost by a bird.
A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring carriage; a reach.
A position that is secure and advantageous, especially one which is prominent or elevated.
A position that is overly elevated or haughty.
A linear measure of 5+¹⁄₂ yards, equal to a rod, a pole or ¹⁄₄ chain; the related square measure.
A cubic measure of stonework equal to 16.6 × 1.5 × 1 feet.
A frame used to examine cloth.
A bar used to support a candle, especially in a church.
A platform for lights to be directed at the stage.
Where this word comes from
From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin pertica (“staff, long pole, measuring rod”).
To rest on a perch (especially, of a bird); to roost.
The macaw perched on Jim's shoulder.
To sit upon the edge of something.
To stay in an elevated position.
To place something on (or as if on) a perch.
To inspect cloth using a perch.
Where this word comes from
From Middle English perche, from Old French perche, from Latin pertica (“staff, long pole, measuring rod”).
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.