waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 

ˈwä-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that frequents water

especially : a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird

Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence

The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

The center is permitted for all native wildlife, ranging from opossums, skunks, raccoons to songbirds, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians, Hamlin said. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 July 2025

Once farmers no longer receive funds from foreign waterfowl hunters, however, the ducks will suffer the consequences. —Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

My job was to examine sites for future waterfowl refuges in what is today the lower Mississippi Valley Flyway. —Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025

Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere — even among birds once thought resilient, like waterfowl. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for waterfowl

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl

Kids Definition

waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l 

ˈwät-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that is found in or near water

especially : a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game