spotted woodpecker

noun

: any of several European and Asiatic woodpeckers having the plumage of variegated black and white: such as

a

: great spotted woodpecker

b

: a bird (Dendrocopos minor) resembling but smaller than the great spotted woodpecker

called also lesser spotted woodpecker

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!