1
: a fan-shaped tail or end
2
: a domestic pigeon having a broad rounded tail often with 30 or 40 feathers
3
: an architectural part resembling a fan
4
: a counter or after overhang of a ship shaped like a duck's bill
variants
or less commonly fantail
: a small white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi) of the southwestern U.S. and western Mexico
Examples of fantail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Other sailors set up a medical triage on the fantail.
—Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 1 July 2024
Langdon’s fantail is actually a common carp with an unusual genetic mutation.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 14 June 2023
Willson and his team of volunteers are currently working on the fantail, or rear, of the Aurora and aim to fully restore the galley and dining area throughout the rest of 2022.
—Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN, 8 Apr. 2022
On the walk, guests should keep an eye out for native rātā, kōwhai and pōhutukawa trees, and wildlife including the North Island tomtit, kaka, tui, and fantail birds.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2022
The golden bronze fish had the showy fins of the fantail carp and the distinctive scale pattern of a mirror carp.
—Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, 4 June 2021
That day only one or two neophytes had stood on the fantail to watch the launch, and to see Alvin sink into the abyss, untethered, for the 2,428th time.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
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Noun
The design of the vehicle's rear is inspired by the fantail of a sailing yacht.
—Brian Moody, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Other sailors set up a medical triage on the fantail.
—Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 1 July 2024
Langdon’s fantail is actually a common carp with an unusual genetic mutation.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 14 June 2023
Willson and his team of volunteers are currently working on the fantail, or rear, of the Aurora and aim to fully restore the galley and dining area throughout the rest of 2022.
—Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN, 8 Apr. 2022
On the walk, guests should keep an eye out for native rātā, kōwhai and pōhutukawa trees, and wildlife including the North Island tomtit, kaka, tui, and fantail birds.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2022
The golden bronze fish had the showy fins of the fantail carp and the distinctive scale pattern of a mirror carp.
—Jesse Leavenworth, courant.com, 4 June 2021
That day only one or two neophytes had stood on the fantail to watch the launch, and to see Alvin sink into the abyss, untethered, for the 2,428th time.
—Robert Kunzig, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Fantail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fantail. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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