cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯr-mə-rənt 

ˈkȯrm-, 

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

1

: any of various dark-colored web-footed waterbirds (family Phalacrocoracidae, especially genus Phalacrocorax) that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible throat pouch

2

: a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person

Illustration of cormorant

Synonyms of cormorant

• pig
• hog

Examples of cormorant in a Sentence

Diamond Jim Brady was perhaps the most celebrated cormorant of the Gilded Age.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cape Town, South Africa The Cape sugarbird, Cape rockjumper, orange-breasted sunbird and bank cormorant are some of the endemic birds that draw nature lovers to Cape Town. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 May 2026

Our view looked out over a small pond—perfect for birding, as cormorants regularly took up post on a tree there—and the ocean beyond. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

Nesting pelicans and cormorants also face threats from toxic cleaning substances. —Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026

Of 50 cormorants submitted to the lab for necropsies from May 2025 to April 2026, 46 were juvenile, one was an adult and the rest were in a condition too poor to determine. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cormeraunt, from Middle French cormorant, from Old French cormareng, from corp raven + marenc of the sea, from Latin marinus — more at corbel, marine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cormorant

• double-crested cormorant

Kids Definition

cormorant

noun

cor·​mo·​rant ˈkȯrm-(ə-)rənt 

ˈkȯr-mə-ˌrant

: any of various dark-colored web-footed seabirds with a long neck, a hooked bill, and a patch of bare often brightly colored skin under the mouth