owl

noun

ˈau̇(-ə)l 

: any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The animal was found injured in the road in the nighttime hours by motorists who spotted the owl, according to the Woodbridge Police Department. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025

True story: An owl took up residence in the tree near my bedroom window. —Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

Keep an eye out for the native boreal owl and the transplant population of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep that call the Pecos Wilderness home. —Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025

One of the most tragic losses attributed to the owls was the extinction of the Lord Howe boobook owl (Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria). —Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing owl

• barn owl
• barred owl
• burrowing owl
• elf owl
• great horned owl
• horned owl
• night owl
• northern spotted owl
• owl monkey
• saw-whet owl
• screech owl
• short-eared owl
• snowy owl
• spotted owl

Kids Definition

owl

noun

ˈau̇(ə)l 

: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws