flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-(ˌ)gō 

plural flamingos also flamingoes

: any of several large aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usually rosy-white plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

Illustration of flamingo

Examples of flamingo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The groups had a tradition of camping in concentric circles—a cross between an Old West wagon formation and a suburban subdivision, often complete with pink plastic lawn flamingos—and wore matching blue berets that suggested a rolling fraternal lodge. —Steven Melendez, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024

Once the sunlight shone on everything again, the flamingos awoke, eating, bathing in their pond, and pecking their beaks with each other. —Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Spanish flamengo (now flamenco), literally, Fleming, German (conventionally thought of as ruddy-complexioned)

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-gō 

plural flamingos also flamingoes

: any of several rosy-white birds with scarlet wings, a very long neck and legs, and a broad bill bent down at the end that are often found wading in shallow water

Etymology

from Portuguese flamingo "flamingo," from Spanish flamenco "flamingo," derived from Latin flamma "flame"; so called from the fiery red feathers on the underside of the wings