heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən How to pronounce heron (audio)
ˈhe-rən
plural herons also heron
: any of various long-necked and long-legged wading birds (family Ardeidae) with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage

Examples of heron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Spirited sophistication flourishes within its walls: an Ai Weiwei triptych hangs under a ceiling covered in original frescoes, and in my room, rosy-pink Gucci wallpaper depicted herons and dragonflies. Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025 Watch dunlins, piping plovers, herons, osprey, and even bald eagles make the mangroves and coastal pines their warm-weather home. Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025 Throughout the marshes and along sandy beaches, visitors will see pelicans wading around piers with their gular pouches full of fish, ospreys, warblers, terns, herons, egrets, black-necked stilts, and roseate spoonbills, which are a vibrant bubblegum-pink color, due to their shrimp diet. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2025 The heron, native to the San Antonio River, symbolizes life. Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heron

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heiroun, hayroun, from Anglo-French heiron, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heron was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Heron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heron. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

heron

noun
her·​on ˈher-ən How to pronounce heron (audio)
plural herons also heron
: any of various wading birds with a long neck, long legs, a long thin bill and large wings

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