: a large fish-eating hawk (Pandion haliaetus) with long wings that is dark brown above and mostly pure white below
2
: a feather trimming used for millinery
Illustration of osprey
osprey 1
Examples of osprey in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebSimply not randomly shooting ravens, hawks and eagles, along with banning the harmful pesticide DDT, allowed many species, like eagles, cormorants and osprey, to return from the brink.—John Myers, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024 The rec area is a go-to for birdwatchers, too, rewarding patient enthusiasts with spectacular sightings of bald eagles and osprey.—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2023 Several sleek black diving cormorants, along with an osprey, roosted in the branches during a morning visit on Thursday.—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024 Visitors to the Headlands may experience sightings of the many wild animals native to the area including: bald eagles, osprey, white tail deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and occasionally a black bear.—Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2024 Explore the natural habitats of native and exotic animals, including osprey, eagles, dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024 Best Things to Do Big Talbot Island State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park is home to black skimmers, endangered wood storks, and ospreys, but the real showstopper here is Boneyard Beach, one of the most beautiful places in Florida.—Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 Learn why Worster Lake is a stopover habitat for migratory birds and why ospreys choose Potato Creek.—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024 Throughout your visit, be sure to keep your eyes on the skies along with the water, as Lake Sammamish also serves as a major draw for birds of prey ranging from the red-tailed hawk to the osprey.—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'osprey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English ospray, from Anglo-French *osfraie, from Latin ossifraga, a bird of prey
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