woodcock

noun

wood·​cock ˈwu̇d-ˌkäk 

plural woodcocks

1

or plural woodcock

a

: a shorebird (Scolopax rusticola) of Europe and Asia that frequents moist woodlands, has large eyes and rounded wings, is of a variously mottled reddish-brown, black, and buff color with a barred chest, and is often hunted as game

Note: The woodcock has a long bill with a sensitive tip used especially for probing the ground for earthworms and insects.

b

: a smaller related bird (Scolopax minor synonym Philohela minor) chiefly of eastern North America with a similar color pattern but having a solid orange buff chest

2

[from the ease with which the woodcock is snared] archaic : simpleton

Examples of woodcock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dove, woodcock, gallinule, moorhen, rails and snipe are commonly consumed. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025

After a deep dive on the biodiversity of the refuge, nearby Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is a top spot for scoping out wood ducks and American woodcocks thanks to its verdant marshes, but for a truly unique perspective on the Outer Banks, don’t miss out on Jockey’s Ridge State Park. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The woodcock lies quietly on the sidewalk, paralyzed, its neck snapped in two. —Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

Prior to Sadie, Adkins had used German Shorthair Pointers to hunt pheasants, chukars, grouse, woodcock and quail. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing woodcock

• Scotch woodcock

Rhymes for woodcock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

Kids Definition

woodcock

noun

wood·​cock -ˌkäk 

plural woodcocks or woodcock

: a brownish woodland game bird that has a long bill and is related to the snipes

also : a related and similar bird of Eurasia