beak

noun

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
beaked adjective
beaky adjective

Examples of beak in a Sentence

the beak of a hawk an actor with a big beak
Recent Examples on the Web The Hatching Chick Donut takes a glazed donut, dips it in yellow icing and white sprinkles and adds eyes and a beak with frosting. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 This causes the volatile liquid from the lower bulb to rise up the tube, due to a difference in pressure, and as a result, the bird’s center of gravity begins to shift, tipping its beak back into the water. Billy Stockwell, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Some rapidly shrink and expand their pupils; some flutter their wings rhythmically, and others strut about with an especially attractive item in their beaks. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 Feathers in the upper part of the body are brown with black bars and spots, and a white stripe runs from the beak back through the eye. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 The black and white seabirds with the bright orange beaks are almost unheard of anywhere in the Southeast, but at least four puffins have been seen along Florida's east coast beaches since Feb. 8, shocking bird rescuers and others. USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 Two federally endangered plants, the Ventura marsh milkvetch and salt marsh birds beak, have also been established on the site, part of an effort to move some plants north as their natural habitats grow too warm. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Remove and discard beak (a 1-inch bony mass) from base of head. Mary G. Pepitone, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Unlike the hummingbird, however, the moth does not have a beak. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of beak was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near beak

Cite this Entry

“Beak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beak. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

beak

noun
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on beak

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