heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən 

ˈhe-rən

plural herons also heron

: any of various long-necked and long-legged wading birds (family Ardeidae) with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage

Examples of heron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, trails wind through salt marshes, shrublands, and forests teeming with migrating birds—from sandpipers and plovers to herons and owls—as well as the occasional New England cottontail rabbit. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025

Birders will be in their element here, as Liuwa is home to some 300 species, from grey herons and storks to blacksmith plovers. —Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025

An oversized heron print by Gucci on a retro pink backdrop forms a striking focal point, offset by the clean geometry of the Manhattan skyline. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025

Birders will likely be delighted with the number of species that have been spotted — over 80 — including kingfishers, cormorants and herons. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heiroun, hayroun, from Anglo-French heiron, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing heron

• black-crowned night heron
• blue heron
• great blue heron
• great white heron
• green heron
• night heron

Rhymes for heron

• burin
• charon
• herren
• karen
• marron
• perron
• terran
• acheron
• operon
• percheron
• polaron
• lactoferrin

Kids Definition

heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən 

plural herons also heron

: any of various wading birds with a long neck, long legs, a long thin bill and large wings