<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>Shad, plural (especially collectively) shads, referring to two or more kinds or species.</li><li>A deep-bodied herring, <em>Alosa sapidissima</em>, of Europe and North America, that migrates up streams to spawn, used for food.</li><li>Any other fish of the genus <em>Alosa</em> or related genera.</li><li>Any of several unrelated fishes.</li></ul>