beak

noun

ˈbēk 

1

a

: the bill of a bird

especially : a strong short broad bill

b(1)

: the elongated sucking mouth of some insects (such as the true bugs)

(2)

: any of various rigid projecting mouth structures (as of a turtle)

c

: the human nose

2

: a pointed structure or formation:

a

: a metal-pointed beam projecting from the bow especially of an ancient galley for piercing an enemy ship

b

: the spout of a vessel

c

: a continuous slight architectural projection ending in an arris see molding illustration

d

: a process suggesting the beak of a bird

3

chiefly British

a

: magistrate

b

: headmaster

beaked

ˈbēkt 

adjective

beaky

ˈbē-kē 

adjective

Synonyms of beak

• mouth
• mandible
• muzzle

Examples of beak in a Sentence

the beak of a hawk

an actor with a big beak

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Guinness World Records, the longest beak or bill of any living bird on Earth is that of an Australian pelican, which can measure in at almost 20 inches. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

When the bird dives at high speed to catch fish, its beak slips into the water without a splash. —Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

The Darryn Peterson era of Kansas basketball started with the freshman phenom canning a deep 3-pointer from near the beak of the Jayhawk logo inside Allen Fieldhouse. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025

Darwin observed this phenomenon while working in the Galápagos in 1835, noticing for example that finches had varying beak shapes suited to their food sources found on the differing islands. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bec, from Anglo-French, from Latin beccus, of Gaulish origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for beak

• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

beak

noun

ˈbēk 

1

a

: the bill of a bird

especially : the bill of a bird of prey adapted for striking and tearing

b

: any of various rigid mouth structures (as of a turtle) that stick out

also : the long sucking mouth of some insects

c

: the human nose

2

: a part shaped like a beak

beaked

ˈbēkt 

adjective