pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən 

: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch

Examples of pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nestled in the historic commercial fishing village of Cortez, Swordfish Grill is surrounded by working docks and pristine mangroves, gray pelicans and blue herons, leaping mullet, and frolicking dolphins. —USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

But the real sell is a small-ship safari through the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site set across 580,000 hectares, home to over 300 species of birds from pygmy cormorants to Europe’s largest population of white pelicans. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Black swans and pelicans glide just above boats’ wakes on Australia’s longest river, which flows 1,558 miles through three states, past sandy beaches studded with mighty river red gum trees. —Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Nov. 2024

The reserve is home to numerous native plants, animals and migratory birds, including the American white pelican, the largest boreal flying bird in the U.S. Participants should bring water and wear comfy shoes. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pelican

• brown pelican
• pelican crossing

Kids Definition

pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən 

: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food