egret

noun

ˈē-grət 

-ˌgret

also

i-ˈgret  ˈe-grət 

: any of various herons that bear long plumes during the breeding season

Illustration of egret

Examples of egret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other visitors to the preserve included bay turtles, blue herons and a snowy white egret, with kayakers paddling behind them in the bay. — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Anna Johnson’s 2015 Betulina Brooch, meanwhile, combines an egret skull with rainbow moonstones, raw diamonds, mica, shelf mushrooms, and silver. — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Without chainsaws, egrets, or the large Great Dane in the harlequin phase. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Eagles, egrets, cormorants and herons are fishing, too. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan *aigreta, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing egret

• cattle egret
• great egret
• snowy egret

Kids Definition

egret

noun

ˈē-grət  i-ˈgret  ˈē-ˌgret 

ˈeg-rət

: any of various herons that bear long feathers during the breeding season