pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən 

: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch

Examples of pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There have been pelicans injured in attacks and sick animals brought in by good Samaritans and city crews. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026

Even the attractions here skew mellow, from the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, the longest on the Gulf, where anglers cast lines as pelicans glide overhead. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Birders will appreciate the abundance of egrets, ibis, and pelicans here too. —Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

Kilday shared that some of her favorite activities on the island are hunting for shark teeth and seashells, watching pelicans dive for their next meal, and soaking up the peaceful views of boats drifting across the horizon. —Abby Price, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pelican

• brown pelican
• pelican crossing

Kids Definition

pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən 

: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food