Japanese quail

noun

: a quail (Coturnix japonica synonym C. coturnix japonica) of eastern Asia that is sometimes raised for its meat or eggs and is used in laboratory research

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Japanese quail was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near Japanese quail

Cite this Entry

“Japanese quail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Japanese%20quail. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Japanese quail

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!