shearwater
noun
shear·wa·ter
ˈshir-ˌwȯ-tər 
-ˌwä-
: any of numerous oceanic birds (especially genus Puffinus) that are related to the petrels and usually skim close to the waves in flight
Examples of shearwater in a Sentence
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Birds abound across the shores of Duiker Island, with Sandwich terns, giant petrels and sooty shearwaters being just a few of the creatures that might make an appearance, while lucky guests might see a penguin or two bobbing along the water as well.
—
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Uesaka says that the footage comes from foraging trips in which the shearwaters form large flocks, with some birds resting on the surface while others fly—and poop—overhead.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025
After sailing across the Bay of Biscay to Santander — with opportunities to spot fin and minke whales, dolphins and shearwaters — the group will travel inland to the Cantabrian Mountains to visit Las Loras Geopark and Palentina Mountain Natural Park.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 July 2025
In addition to these species, the region also offers the opportunity to catch the occasional seabird soaring along the surf, with potential appearances by the great shearwater, Atlantic puffin and pomarine jaeger, to name a few.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Uesaka says that the footage comes from foraging trips in which the shearwaters form large flocks, with some birds resting on the surface while others fly—and poop—overhead.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025
After sailing across the Bay of Biscay to Santander — with opportunities to spot fin and minke whales, dolphins and shearwaters — the group will travel inland to the Cantabrian Mountains to visit Las Loras Geopark and Palentina Mountain Natural Park.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 July 2025
In addition to these species, the region also offers the opportunity to catch the occasional seabird soaring along the surf, with potential appearances by the great shearwater, Atlantic puffin and pomarine jaeger, to name a few.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shearwater
Cite this Entry
“Shearwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shearwater. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shearwater
noun
shear·wa·ter
ˈshi(ə)r-ˌwȯt-ər
-ˌwät-
: any of numerous marine birds related to the petrels and albatrosses that often skim close to the water during flight
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