cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯrm-rənt 

ˈkȯr-mə-,

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

1

: any of various dark-colored web-footed waterbirds (family Phalacrocoracidae, especially genus Phalacrocorax) that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible throat pouch

2

: a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person

Illustration of cormorant

Synonyms

• glutton
• gorger
• gormandizer
• gourmand
• hog
• overeater
• pig
• stuffer
• swiller

Examples of cormorant in a Sentence

Diamond Jim Brady was perhaps the most celebrated cormorant of the Gilded Age.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, over Labor Day weekend, one of the zoo’s cormorants died, as did a pheasant, a bald eagle, and three flamingos. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

While the eruption posed no risk to humans, the island is home to a number of species, including iguanas, penguins and flightless cormorants. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024

Colorful eels, octopuses, swell sharks, snowy plovers, lobsters, horn sharks, poppy flowers, pelicans, Western gulls, and cormorants are many of the creatures popping from the wall’s canvas. —Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 8 Oct. 2024

Now, the pond was murky, and a cormorant stood hunting at the water’s edge. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cormeraunt, from Middle French cormorant, from Old French cormareng, from corp raven + marenc of the sea, from Latin marinus — more at corbel, marine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cormorant

• double-crested cormorant

Kids Definition

cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯrm-(ə-)rənt 

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

: any of various dark-colored web-footed seabirds with a long neck, a hooked bill, and a patch of bare often brightly colored skin under the mouth