cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯrm-rənt 

ˈkȯr-mə-,

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

1

: any of various dark-colored web-footed waterbirds (family Phalacrocoracidae, especially genus Phalacrocorax) that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible throat pouch

2

: a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person

Illustration of cormorant

Synonyms

• pig
• hog

Examples of cormorant in a Sentence

Diamond Jim Brady was perhaps the most celebrated cormorant of the Gilded Age.

Recent Examples on the Web

Salton Sea: In the May 25 California section, an article about efforts to create new wetlands at the Salton Sea referred to double-crested cormorants as double-breasted cormorants. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

In others, huddles of cormorants gather on the black sand beaches, and sea lions bark from the rocks. —John Bartlett, NPR, 8 June 2025

On a dolphin discovery tour, guests can see dolphins, egrets, pelicans, gulls, herons, cormorants and the occasional sea turtle. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025

End the day near Morro Rock to watch the sunset or spot sea lions, cormorants and pelicans living around it. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cormeraunt, from Middle French cormorant, from Old French cormareng, from corp raven + marenc of the sea, from Latin marinus — more at corbel, marine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cormorant

• double-crested cormorant

Kids Definition

cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯrm-(ə-)rənt 

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

: any of various dark-colored web-footed seabirds with a long neck, a hooked bill, and a patch of bare often brightly colored skin under the mouth