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
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
Swans and 17 species of duck frequent Gillmor, which also provides nesting habitat for various shorebirds, such as the snowy plover, American avocet, Wilson’s phalarope, black-necked stilt, cinnamon teal and gadwall.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
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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
Swans and 17 species of duck frequent Gillmor, which also provides nesting habitat for various shorebirds, such as the snowy plover, American avocet, Wilson’s phalarope, black-necked stilt, cinnamon teal and gadwall.
—Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Avocet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocet. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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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