Illustration of avocet
avocet
noun
av·o·cet
ˈa-və-ˌset 
: any of a genus (Recurvirostra) of rather large long-legged shorebirds with webbed feet and slender upward-curving bill
Examples of avocet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Located in the wetlands of the San Francisco Bay, the 376-acre Ravenswood preserve is home to wildlife including migrating shorebirds such as dowitchers, American avocets and terns.
—
Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Nearby, Caspian terns, American avocets, and black skimmers rested on the beach, each in its own group.
—Joan Strassmann, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Hikers there can spot wading birds like great blue herons and American avocets, find shells on the riverbanks, and wander the thick cottonwood galleries on their shores.
—Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
Herons, ospreys, black-necked stilts and American avocets.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
The American avocet spends winter along the coast of North American, including Mexico, Florida, Texas and California.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Cape Cod: Reports continued to reflect some of the most unusual birds, including a magnificent frigatebird at First Encounter Beach in Eastham, a brown booby at Sandy Neck in Barnstable, and an American avocet at High Head in Truro.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2021
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Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
Nearby, Caspian terns, American avocets, and black skimmers rested on the beach, each in its own group.
—Joan Strassmann, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025
Hikers there can spot wading birds like great blue herons and American avocets, find shells on the riverbanks, and wander the thick cottonwood galleries on their shores.
—Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
Herons, ospreys, black-necked stilts and American avocets.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
The American avocet spends winter along the coast of North American, including Mexico, Florida, Texas and California.
—Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Cape Cod: Reports continued to reflect some of the most unusual birds, including a magnificent frigatebird at First Encounter Beach in Eastham, a brown booby at Sandy Neck in Barnstable, and an American avocet at High Head in Truro.
—BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Avocet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocet. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
avocet
noun
av·o·cet
ˈav-ə-ˌset
: any of several rather large long-legged shorebirds with webbed feet and a slender bill that curves upward
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