shelduck

noun

shel·​duck ˈshel-ˌdək How to pronounce shelduck (audio)
: any of various Old World ducks (genus Tadorna)
especially : a common mostly black-and-white duck (T. tadorna) slightly larger than the mallard

Illustration of shelduck

Illustration of shelduck

Examples of shelduck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of the best known molt migrations in Europe involves the common shelduck. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2018 Shelduck mystery The report and photograph of a European shelduck at Clear Lake, 5,500 miles from its home at the Wadden Sea off Germany, may have been solved. Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Dec. 2017

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

Word History

Etymology

shel- (as in sheldrake) + duck

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shelduck was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near shelduck

Cite this Entry

“Shelduck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelduck. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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