ruddy duck

noun

: an American duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) with a long tail of stiff feathers, a broad bill, and in the breeding male a brownish-red back and sides and a blue bill

Examples of ruddy duck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Beverly Crest community, off Providence Road, produced ruddy ducks and another kingfisher. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Read full article Bristol County: Six great shearwaters and three Wilson’s storm-petrels at Gooseberry Island in Westport, and six late ruddy ducks at South Watuppa Pond in Fall River. Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 1 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruddy duck was in 1813

Dictionary Entries Near ruddy duck

Cite this Entry

“Ruddy duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruddy%20duck. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

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