wild·fowl
ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 
: a game bird
especially
: a game waterfowl (such as a wild duck or goose)
: one that engages in wildfowling
Examples of wildfowl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Mar. 2026
In 2024, for instance, the company donated $100 million to Ducks Unlimited to protect wildfowl breeding habitats in the North American prairies.
—
Thad Moore,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
And now, back to the old Beaver Dam Club near Tunica, Mississippi, for a wildfowl Big Shot.
—
Nash Buckingham,
Outdoor Life,
19 June 2025
Petaluma Egg Farm has erected lasers that shoot over its fields and barn area to deter wildfowl from encroaching on its flock.
—
Chase Hunter,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
The wildfowl carving competition went off in late April as usual, with ornate carvings filling the Ocean City convention hall.
—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2023
These formidable weapons were used for commercial hunting, bringing down whole flocks of wildfowl with a single blast.
—
David Hambling,
Popular Mechanics,
9 Dec. 2022
Instead of being flooded like paddies, the fields were soaked by seasonal rains and attracted hungry wildfowl.
—
Elizabeth Gamillo,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 June 2022
Crossing the Kenai River at Kenai Lake and looking to the right, the open water contained a menagerie of wildfowl.
—
Steve Meyer,
Anchorage Daily News,
22 Jan. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
On high tides, birdwatchers gather here to spot wintering wildfowl and waders.
—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Mar. 2026
In 2024, for instance, the company donated $100 million to Ducks Unlimited to protect wildfowl breeding habitats in the North American prairies.
—
Thad Moore,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
And now, back to the old Beaver Dam Club near Tunica, Mississippi, for a wildfowl Big Shot.
—
Nash Buckingham,
Outdoor Life,
19 June 2025
Petaluma Egg Farm has erected lasers that shoot over its fields and barn area to deter wildfowl from encroaching on its flock.
—
Chase Hunter,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
The wildfowl carving competition went off in late April as usual, with ornate carvings filling the Ocean City convention hall.
—
Christine Condon,
Baltimore Sun,
11 May 2023
These formidable weapons were used for commercial hunting, bringing down whole flocks of wildfowl with a single blast.
—
David Hambling,
Popular Mechanics,
9 Dec. 2022
Instead of being flooded like paddies, the fields were soaked by seasonal rains and attracted hungry wildfowl.
—
Elizabeth Gamillo,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 June 2022
Crossing the Kenai River at Kenai Lake and looking to the right, the open water contained a menagerie of wildfowl.
—
Steve Meyer,
Anchorage Daily News,
22 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Wildfowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfowl. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wildfowl
noun
wild·fowl
-ˌfau̇l
: a bird and especially a waterfowl (as a wild duck) hunted as game
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
