owl

noun

ˈau̇(-ə)l 

: any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the almond board, other methods such as bait stations, snap traps and owl boxes – which draw the rodent predators – are also being employed, but farmers say the tactics are expensive and not entirely effective for a plague of this magnitude. —Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025

In the context of these intellectual efforts, philosophers have, like the owl of Minerva, arrived at dusk, that is to say, with most of the day’s intellectual labor now complete. —Sebastian Purcell august 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025

Usually, Loncar said, the owls in her backyard are skittish, but this owlet was slow. —Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Dubbed Hala Point, Intel's research prototype has 1.15 billion neurons, or about the capacity of an owl's brain. —PC Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing owl

• barn owl
• barred owl
• burrowing owl
• elf owl
• great horned owl
• horned owl
• night owl
• northern spotted owl
• owl monkey
• saw-whet owl
• screech owl
• short-eared owl
• snowy owl
• spotted owl

Rhymes for owl

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

Kids Definition

owl

noun

ˈau̇(ə)l 

: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws