pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən How to pronounce pelican (audio)
: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch

Examples of pelican 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 tiny island is home to brown and white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, owls, ospreys, terns, herons, egrets, and other shore birds. Kara Franker, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025 Later works included two pelicans above a Walthamstow chippy and, finally, a gorilla freeing animals from London Zoo. The Week Uk, theweek, 29 Dec. 2024 For California beachgoers, officials ask that people give pelicans plenty of space and keep a keen eye out for any strange or erratic pelican behavior. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024 The pelicans eat between 25 and 50 pounds of fish per day, and the center needs help funding its rescue effort. Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pelican 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pelican was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near pelican

Cite this Entry

“Pelican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelican. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pelican

noun
pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən How to pronounce pelican (audio)
: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food

More from Merriam-Webster on pelican

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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