waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 
ˈwä-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that frequents water
especially
: a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird
Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence
The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.
Recent Examples on the Web
The refuge’s dunes and salt marshes are a birder’s paradise with species like bald eagles, terns, songbirds, and various waterfowl migrating in and out throughout the year.
—
Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024
Over that period, grassland bird species have declined by 40 percent while waterfowl populations on the whole have gone up.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2024
The potential for a 3-bird limit is big news for waterfowl hunters, particularly in the Central and Pacific Flyways.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 23 May 2024
The annual Bird Photographer of the Year competition highlights some of the best avian images, from graceful waterfowl to high-flying birds of prey—and many species in between.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for waterfowl 
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Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024
Over that period, grassland bird species have declined by 40 percent while waterfowl populations on the whole have gone up.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2024
The potential for a 3-bird limit is big news for waterfowl hunters, particularly in the Central and Pacific Flyways.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 23 May 2024
The annual Bird Photographer of the Year competition highlights some of the best avian images, from graceful waterfowl to high-flying birds of prey—and many species in between.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for waterfowl
Dictionary Entries Near waterfowl
Cite this Entry
“Waterfowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterfowl. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l
ˈwät-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that is found in or near water
especially
: a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game
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