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 kingfisher’s beak helps the bird dive underwater for prey. —Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Also, sometimes, a belted kingfisher. —Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

Grand Prize Bird Photos The Grand Prize Winner for the new Colombia and Chile category was awarded to this image of a blue-and-gray kingfisher flying out of the water, creating a splash around its wet body, shaggy crest, white collar and rufous belly. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

This configuration produces tilted stroke planes, much like those seen in geese, vultures, and kingfishers during slow flight. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025

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