1. Any of various scombroid fishes intermediate in size and characteristics between mackerels and tunas
   "Bonito is commonly used in Japanese cuisine to make dashi stock"
    
2. Flesh of mostly Pacific food fishes of the genus Sarda of the family Scombridae; related to but smaller than tuna
   "The sushi chef prepared thin slices of bonito for the traditional dish"
    
3. Commercially important tuna species with dark striped back, found in tropical waters worldwide; commonly dried and flaked for Japanese cookery
   "Fresh bonito was grilled at the seaside restaurant"; "Oceanic bonito migrate in large schools";
   - oceanic bonito, Katsuwonus pelamis, skipjack, skipjack tuna, Euthynnus pelamis
    
4. Medium-sized predatory fish of the mackerel family found in warm Atlantic and Mediterranean waters; valued for food though less prized than tuna
   "The Atlantic bonito were running close to shore";
   - Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda

Derived forms: bonitos

Type of: scombroid, scombroid fish, tuna, tuna fish, tunny

Part of: Euthynnus, genus Euthynnus, genus Katsuwonus, genus Sarda, Katsuwonus, Sarda

Encyclopedia: Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul