Main Entry:

tern

Pronunciation:

\ˈtərn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan terne tern

Date:

1678

: any of various chiefly marine birds (subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae and especially genus Sterna) that differ from the related gulls in usually smaller size, a more slender build, a sharply pointed bill, narrower wings, and an often forked tail

[tern illustration]