: any of various dark-colored web-footed waterbirds (family Phalacrocoracidae, especially genus Phalacrocorax) that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible throat pouch
Diamond Jim Brady was perhaps the most celebrated cormorant of the Gilded Age.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
In others, huddles of cormorants gather on the black sand beaches, and sea lions bark from the rocks.—John Bartlett, NPR, 8 June 2025 On a dolphin discovery tour, guests can see dolphins, egrets, pelicans, gulls, herons, cormorants and the occasional sea turtle.—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2025 End the day near Morro Rock to watch the sunset or spot sea lions, cormorants and pelicans living around it.—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Giant petrels and imperial cormorants come to nest, and sea lions and Magellanic penguins congregate.—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cormorant
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
Share