plover

noun

plo·​ver ˈplə-vər  ˈplō- 

plural plover or plovers

1

: any of a family (Charadriidae) of shorebirds that differ from the sandpipers in having a short hard-tipped bill and usually a stouter more compact build

2

: any of various birds (such as a turnstone or sandpiper) related to the plovers

Examples of plover in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Burrowing owls and mountain plovers make homes in their burrows while hawks and coyotes eat them. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 23 Sep. 2024

Cabo Rojo is considered the most important stopover site for migratory species and shorebirds — including rare plovers and warblers — in the eastern Caribbean. —Benji Jones, Vox, 21 May 2024

Fledging plovers become a lovely symbol for how the resourceful women in this family take flight. —Heller McAlpin, NPR, 22 May 2024

Elsewhere in the park, staff are restoring dunes by removing invasive plants, allowing the plovers to reclaim the sand for breeding. —Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French plover, pluvier, from Vulgar Latin *pluviarius, from Latin pluvia rain — more at pluvial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plover

• golden plover
• piping plover
• snowy plover

Kids Definition

plover

noun

plo·​ver ˈplə-vər  ˈplō-vər 

plural plover or plovers

: any of numerous shorebirds differing from the related sandpipers in having shorter bills