plumage

noun

plum·​age ˈplü-mij How to pronounce plumage (audio)
: the feathers of a bird
plumaged adjective

Examples of plumage in a Sentence

The peacock has colorful plumage.
Recent Examples on the Web That bland description does the drake wood duck’s plumage no justice at all. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2024 Down fill has come under fire from animal rights organizations like PETA, who have called out the inhumane practice of live-plucking animals for their plumage. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 The bird is the snow bunting — so named both for its predominantly snow-white plumage and amazing ability to withstand snow and subfreezing weather in its breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. Richard B. Karel, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024 The bird’s plumage is divided directly down the middle, with blue feathers typical of males on its right side and the emerald-green feathers of females on its left. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Dec. 2023 Down filling is made from the soft plumage under a duck or goose’s feathers and is known for its ability to provide warmth and fluffiness to a variety of goods with minimal weight. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 All indigo buntings eventually molt into brown plumage in the fall. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 First-year males may show a combination of immature and adult plumage. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The great-looking character style of the first has been further refined, filling this imaginary world with appealing faces and intricate plumage, color bursting and completely in sync with the eye-popping frivolity going on, most of it seen from a bird’s eye view. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plumage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Old French, from plume feather — more at plume

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plumage was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near plumage

Cite this Entry

“Plumage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumage. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plumage

noun
plum·​age ˈplü-mij How to pronounce plumage (audio)
: the feathers of a bird

More from Merriam-Webster on plumage

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