kingfisher

noun

king·​fish·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌfi-shər How to pronounce kingfisher (audio)
: any of numerous nonpasserine birds (family Alcedinidae) that are usually crested and bright-colored with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill

Examples of kingfisher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Two bird species—the Guam kingfisher and Guam rail—that were driven to extinction in the wild were endemic, found nowhere else on Earth. Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 The ponds hold a mix of saltwater and spring-fed freshwater—ideal conditions for osprey and kingfishers, river otters and fish, and especially oysters, quahog clams and scallops. Mary Forgione, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Long story short: Guam kingfishers are no longer extinct in the wild. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 After this nest was found in the early 1900s in Cameroon, scientists later spotted other bird species using termite nests to raise their young, including kingfishers, parrots and trogons. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kingfisher 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kingfisher was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near kingfisher

Cite this Entry

“Kingfisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kingfisher. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kingfisher

noun
king·​fish·​er -ˌfish-ər How to pronounce kingfisher (audio)
: any of various bright-colored birds with a short tail, a long stout sharp bill, and usually a crest on the head

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