moorhen

noun

moor·​hen ˈmu̇r-ˌhen How to pronounce moorhen (audio)
: an aquatic bird (Gallinula chloropus) of the rail family that is widespread in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa and that has a red bill, red frontal area on the head, and a white band on the flanks

called also gallinule

Examples of moorhen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using their exacting sense of smell, minks prey on small animals—including salmon, moorhens, kingfishers and frogs. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 Under the proposal, the Horicon refuge would be open to hunting for woodcock, moorhen, coyote, ruffed grouse, opossum, raccoon, fox, skunk, bobcat, snowshoe hare and black bear on acres already open to other hunting. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2020 All of the windows look out on the river, abundant with trout and irresistible to herons and moorhens. Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2018 Silverman further populates her wuthering heights with a winsome governess (Chasten Harmon), a typhoid maid (Hannah Cabell), a talking moorhen (Teresa Avia Lim), and a glum mastiff (Andrew Garman). The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moorhen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near moorhen

Cite this Entry

“Moorhen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moorhen. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

moorhen

noun
moor·​hen ˈmu̇(ə)r-ˌhen How to pronounce moorhen (audio)
: a common gallinule found in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa
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