1
a
: the bill of a bird
especially
: a strong short broad bill
b(1)
: the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (such as the true bugs)
(2)
: any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle)
c
: the human nose
2
: a pointed structure or formation:
a
: a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow especially of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship
b
: the spout of a vessel
c
: a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris see molding illustration
d
: a process suggesting the beak of a bird
3
Examples of beak in a Sentence
the beak of a hawk
an actor with a big beak
Recent Examples on the Web
On a rainy day last week, the green sea turtle pumped her limbs and stretched her beak up to chomp a lettuce leaf floating on the surface of a tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The study bird, a Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), with a caterpillar in its beak.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Each swan on Anthropologie’s Icon glass has a bright orange beak and fluffy feathers.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
This bird has an arrow-straight beak and is mostly striped and spotted black and white, with males sporting a red patch on the back of their head.
—Kier Holmes, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beak
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Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The study bird, a Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), with a caterpillar in its beak.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Each swan on Anthropologie’s Icon glass has a bright orange beak and fluffy feathers.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
This bird has an arrow-straight beak and is mostly striped and spotted black and white, with males sporting a red patch on the back of their head.
—Kier Holmes, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beak
Cite this Entry
“Beak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beak. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beak
noun1
a
: the bill of a bird
especially
: the bill of a bird of prey adapted for striking and tearing
b
: any of various rigid mouth structures (as of a turtle) that stick out
also
: the long sucking mouth of some insects
c
: the human nose
2
: a part shaped like a beak
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