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brown pelican

noun

: a pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) of American coasts that has a brownish body and a chiefly white or white with yellow head

Examples of brown pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Then a Galápagos brown pelican, seemingly enchanted by the scent of the mahi-mahi being prepared, landed on the railing. Betsy Andrews, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2025 In Antigua, venture to the secluded shores of Great Bird Island for an eco-immersion where whale sightings, lush canopy hikes along the Hilltop Trail, and encounters with rare birdlife—including brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and West Indian whistling ducks—await. AFAR Media, 31 July 2025 Nature lovers will find an abundance of places to explore: Nearby McKee Botanical Garden brims with tropical plants (look for water lilies blooming in its streams), while Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as a home for brown pelicans and other migrating avians. Kara Franker, Southern Living, 19 June 2025 Anacapa also is home to the largest brown pelican rookery in the United States. Paul Bersebach, Oc Register, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brown pelican

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brown pelican was in 1780

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Cite this Entry

“Brown pelican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brown%20pelican. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

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