spoonbill

noun

spoon·​bill ˈspün-ˌbil How to pronounce spoonbill (audio)
1
: any of several wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) related to the ibises that have an expanded bill that is flattened and rounded at the tip
2
: any of several broad-billed ducks (such as the shoveler)

Examples of spoonbill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In late July and August, many migratory birds, including egrets, herons, and spoonbills, also stop on the beaches. David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024 Boat rides to Little St. Simon Island give crews the chance to spot spoonbills and gannets. Lindsay Cohn, Parents, 13 May 2024 The large pink wader’s appearance also highlights the beginning of the annual post-breeding dispersal of southern herons, egrets, spoonbills, and storks north into the piedmont of the Carolinas. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 As the spoonbills prance on sandbars, a reddish egret performs a vaudeville-style dance to stir up fish. Robin Soslow, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spoonbill 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoonbill was circa 1678

Dictionary Entries Near spoonbill

Cite this Entry

“Spoonbill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoonbill. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spoonbill

noun
spoon·​bill ˈspün-ˌbil How to pronounce spoonbill (audio)
: any of several wading birds related to the ibises that have a bill with a broad, flat, and rounded tip

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