stork

noun

ˈstȯrk 

: any of various large wading birds (family Ciconiidae) chiefly of Asia, Africa, and South America that have long stout bills and are related to the ibises and herons

Illustration of stork

Examples of stork in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The large birds are as tall as 45 inches with wingspans that can reach 65 inches and are the only native storks in the United States. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026

Georgia is one of its largest nesting hot spots, and the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the stork’s critical habitats. —Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Wood storks are now found in 13 counties in southern Georgia and around the state's coast, as well as Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

Last year a stork was spotted in Wisconsin, for only the third time in history. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English storc; akin to Old High German storah stork and probably to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stork

• wood stork

Rhymes for stork

• bork
• dork
• fork
• pork
• torque
• pitchfork

Kids Definition

stork

noun

ˈstȯ(ə)rk 

: any of various large mostly African and Asian wading birds that have long stout bills and are related to the herons and ibises