cockatoo

noun

cock·​a·​too ˈkä-kə-ˌtü How to pronounce cockatoo (audio)
plural cockatoos
: any of various large noisy chiefly Australasian crested parrots (family Cacatuidae and especially genus Cacatua)

Illustration of cockatoo

Illustration of cockatoo

Examples of cockatoo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The original setting for the piece was designed in 1965 after Schlumberger encountered a yellow cockatoo. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2024 The rabbit can move its head, legs, mouth, and ears, and the cockatoo can rotate its head 360 degrees and move its wings and tail. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 But four of the family’s parakeets were killed, while nine others and a cockatoo survived. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2024 The striking similarities in behaviors between the two species made the scientists wonder whether striated caracaras might be capable of solving puzzle boxes to obtain a food reward as Goffin’s cockatoos can do. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 This year, the lab reported that cockatoos can use, recognize and transport a toolset. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Dec. 2023 Goffin’s cockatoos, long known as adept tool users, are the first parrots found to alter their food by dipping it in water. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2023 Highlights will include the chance to see palm cockatoos, a Cape York species renowned for drumming out highly personalized rhythms on trees. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 Besides the 10 remaining bison, the park is home to a horse, two donkeys, two mule deer, tortoises, alpacas, a llama, pigs, rabbits, chickens, geese, ducks, swans, an emu and a cockatoo. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cockatoo.' 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

Dutch kaketoe, from Malay kakatua

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockatoo was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near cockatoo

Cite this Entry

“Cockatoo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockatoo. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cockatoo

noun
cock·​a·​too ˈkäk-ə-ˌtü How to pronounce cockatoo (audio)
plural cockatoos
: any of various large noisy usually showy chiefly Australasian parrots that have a bunch of feathers on the head

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