: any of various chiefly marine birds (subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae and especially genus Sterna) that differ from the related gulls in usually smaller size, a more slender build, a sharply pointed bill, narrower wings, and an often forked tail

Illustration of tern

Illustration of tern

Examples of tern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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During their journey, terns must watch out for raptors and gulls that might prey on them. Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 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 Located on the shores of Roebuck Bay in Western Australia, the Broome Bird Observatory is a gathering place for around 100,000 shorebirds and terns as well as other species. David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024 In a single day, a tern may fly as much as 300 miles, stopping only briefly to feed. Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tern 

Word History

Etymology

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish terne tern

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tern was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near tern

Cite this Entry

“Tern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tern. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tern

noun
: any of numerous sea birds that often have a forked tail, black cap, and white or gray body and that in comparison to the related gulls have a smaller and slenderer body and bill and narrower wings

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