flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce flamingo (audio)
plural flamingos also flamingoes
: any of several large aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usually rosy-white plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

Illustration of flamingo

Illustration of flamingo

Examples of flamingo 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.
The oldest Mahomes child was seen jumping around and playing in her pink and green flamingo dress. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 Animals found far from their habitats Chappy isn't the only animal discovered away from its natural habitat in the U.S. After Hurricane Idalia slammed Florida in 2023, flamingos were spotted in nearly 20 states. Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 The sizable pink keypad lights up with flamingoes, palm trees, hearts, and the Barbie logo behind the keys. PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025 The Columbus Zoo recently pulled birds indoors as a precaution, including flamingos, swans, pelicans, and cranes. Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flamingo

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Spanish flamengo (now flamenco), literally, Fleming, German (conventionally thought of as ruddy-complexioned)

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flamingo was in 1565

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Cite this Entry

“Flamingo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamingo. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

flamingo

noun
fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-gō How to pronounce flamingo (audio)
plural flamingos also flamingoes
: any of several rosy-white birds with scarlet wings, a very long neck and legs, and a broad bill bent down at the end that are often found wading in shallow water
Etymology

from Portuguese flamingo "flamingo," from Spanish flamenco "flamingo," derived from Latin flamma "flame"; so called from the fiery red feathers on the underside of the wings

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