cockatoo

noun cock·a·too \ ˈkä-kə-ˌtü \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of cockatoo

plural cockatoos

: any of various large noisy chiefly Australasian crested parrots (family Cacatuidae and especially genus Cacatua)

See cockatoo defined for English-language learners

See cockatoo defined for kids

Recent Examples of cockatoo from the Web

Though palm cockatoos don’t dance while drumming, other species have exhibited a gift for boogying to a beat.

— National Geographic, "Why Ravens and Crows Are Earth’s Smartest Birds," 15 Mar. 2018
The aging 8-meter statue, of a local species of cockatoo called the galah, marks a roughly midway point between the eastern and western coasts of Australia.

— jacqueline williams, New York Times, "A Farming Town Divided: Do We Want a Nuclear Site that Brings Jobs?," 7 Mar. 2018
Rainbow lorikeets and bright pink galah cockatoos flitted between eucalyptus trees and banksia blossoms that resembled giant yellow and orange candles.

— margo pfeiff, latimes.com, "Coastal road trip in Western Australia is a dream come true," 25 Feb. 2018
Active cables haven't been affected, so there has been no loss of service (as of yet) due to cockatoo attacks; the ends of cables carrying active traffic are protected by a plastic cages.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "Australia’s national broadband network under relentless attack—by cockatoos," 3 Nov. 2017
Caesar, an umbrella cockatoo, is especially social.

— clare ansberry, WSJ, "Polly Want a Xanax? Neurotic Parrots Can Drive Their Owners Crazy," 4 Sep. 2017
Spider monkeys, cockatoos, African cranes, peacocks, and, yes, bunnies.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "Albino Peacocks, Pac-Man, and Year-Round Fireworks: 6 Things You Might Not Know About the Playboy Mansion," 28 Sep. 2017
Featuring animal prints such as tigers and cockatoos, the 100% silk garments were inspired by exotic destinations, and look just as chic with a bikini as when worn as a matched, printed suit.

— tara lamont-djite, Harper's BAZAAR, "Exclusive: The Chic Kaftan-Inspired Label that Gives Back," 16 May 2016
Large wanted to prove that apes could sense oscillations in music the same as humans, and the same as Snowball the dancing cockatoo, whose head-banging and high-kicking moves gained Youtube fame in the mid-2000s.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "UConn Prof's Smart Light Show System Listens To Music," 26 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cockatoo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of cockatoo

Origin and Etymology of cockatoo

Dutch kaketoe, from Malay kakatua

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1634

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

COCKATOO Defined for English Language Learners

cockatoo

noun

Definition of cockatoo for English Language Learners

: a type of large parrot from Australia that has a large colorful bunch of feathers on top of its head

COCKATOO Defined for Kids

cockatoo

noun cock·a·too \ ˈkä-kə-ˌtü \

Definition of cockatoo for Students

plural cockatoos

: a large, noisy, and usually brightly colored crested parrot mostly of Australia

Learn More about cockatoo

See words that rhyme with cockatoo Spanish Central: Translation of cockatoo Nglish: Translation of cockatoo for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cockatoo

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cockatoo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo

Recent Examples of cockatoo from the Web

Illustration of cockatoo

Origin and Etymology of cockatoo

COCKATOO Defined for English Language Learners

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo for English Language Learners

COCKATOO Defined for Kids

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo for Students

Learn More about cockatoo

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

querulous

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

‘Magnate’ and ‘Magnet’: Poles Apart

All the Hits

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Janelle Monáe Out as 'Pansexual'

All the Hits

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo

Recent Examples of cockatoo from the Web

Illustration of cockatoo

Origin and Etymology of cockatoo

COCKATOO Defined for English Language Learners

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo for English Language Learners

COCKATOO Defined for Kids

cockatoo

Definition of cockatoo for Students

Learn More about cockatoo

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Rather Than': Is It a Conjunction or Preposition?

April 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Janelle Monáe Out as 'Pansexual'

All the Hits

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes