auk

noun

ˈȯk How to pronounce auk (audio)
: any of several black-and-white short-necked diving seabirds of the alcid family that breed in colder parts of the northern hemisphere compare great auk

Illustration of auk

Illustration of auk

Examples of auk 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.
During a summertime visit, guests can marvel at huge crowds of northern gannets packed onto the surface of the formation, while other potential seabird sightings span from the common murre to the black-legged kittiwake to the little auk. — Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 By re-examining the translation of the word auk from the previous interpretation, the meaning changes so that fines could be paid with either one ox or with two öre of silver. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Norwegian or Icelandic alk, alka, from Old Norse ālka

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of auk was in 1674

Phrases Containing auk

Browse Nearby Words

au jus
auk
Aukaner
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Cite this Entry

“Auk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auk. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

auk

noun
ˈȯk How to pronounce auk (audio)
: any of several black-and-white short-necked diving seabirds that breed in colder parts of the northern hemisphere

More from Merriam-Webster on auk

Nglish: Translation of auk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about auk

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