kingfisher

noun

king·​fish·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌfi-shər 

: any of numerous nonpasserine birds (family Alcedinidae) that are usually crested and bright-colored with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill

Examples of kingfisher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ultimate goal is to return Guam kingfishers to their native island once the brown tree snakes can be managed. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 3 June 2026

We were joined by fish eagles, malachite and giant kingfishers, herons, and even a Verreaux's eagle owl. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Visitors can walk a five-mile forest hiking trail and experience the chance to see kingfishers, hawks and green ibis. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 May 2026

The nose of a Japanese bullet train, for example, was redesigned based on the beak of a kingfisher, a bird natural selection enabled to dive into water with minimal splash. —Owen D. Jones, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kingfisher

• belted kingfisher

Rhymes for kingfisher

• commissure
• fissure
• swisher
• wisher

Kids Definition

kingfisher

noun

king·​fish·​er -ˌfish-ər 

: any of various bright-colored birds with a short tail, a long stout sharp bill, and usually a crest on the head