This meaning refers to elongated fish of several groups, especially true eels belonging to the order Anguilliformes.
The river contains several species of eels.
The eels hid beneath the rocks.
This food meaning refers to eel as an ingredient or dish, often grilled, smoked, stewed, or prepared in sushi.
Smoked eels are sold at the market.
The restaurant specializes in grilled eels.
This broader use includes aquatic animals named eels because of their elongated form even when they are not true eels.
Electric eels are not true eels.
Several eel-like fishes belong to unrelated groups.
This is the third-person singular form of eel and figuratively describes smooth twisting movement through a restricted space.
The child eels through the crowded room.
The cable eels around the pipes.
