duck

noun (1), often attributive

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\ ˈdək

plural ducks

Definition of duck

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 or plural duck

a : any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage

b : the flesh of any of these birds used as food

2 : a female duck — compare drake

3 : person, creature

4 chiefly British : darling —often used in plural but singular in construction

duck

verb

ducked; ducking; ducks

Definition of duck (Entry 2 of 4)

intransitive verb

1a : to lower the head or body suddenly : dodge

b : bow, bob

2a : to move quickly

b : to evade a duty, question, or responsibility

3a : to plunge under the surface of water

b : to descend suddenly : dip

transitive verb

1 : to lower (the head, the body, etc.) quickly : bow

2 : avoid, evade duck the issue

3 British : to thrust (someone or something) underwater : dunk

duck

noun (2)

Definition of duck (Entry 3 of 4)

: an instance of ducking

duck

noun (3)

Definition of duck (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a durable closely woven usually cotton fabric

2 ducks plural : light clothes and especially trousers made of duck

Illustration of duck

Noun (1)

duck 1a (male): 1 bean, 2 bill, 3 nostril, 4 head, 5 eye, 6 auricular region, 7 neck, 8 cape, 9 shoulder, 10, 11 wing coverts, 12 saddle, 13 secondaries, 14 primaries, 15 rump, 16 drake feathers, 17 tail, 18 tail coverts, 19 down, 20 shank, 21 web, 22 breast, 23 wing front, 24 wing bow

In the meaning defined above

Other Words from duck Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about duck

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Examples of duck in a Sentence

Verb The ceiling was so low I had to duck my head. He ducked his head so they wouldn't see him. We can't afford to duck the issue any longer. They've been ducking each other for months. She ducked into a store when it started to rain. He ducked around a corner.

First Known Use of duck

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun (2)

1554, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for duck

Noun (1)

Middle English duk, doke, from Old English dūce

Verb

Middle English douken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Old English dūce duck

Noun (3)

Dutch doek cloth; akin to Old High German tuoh cloth

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Dictionary Entries near duck

duck's bill brachiopod

duck's egg

Statistics for duck

Cite this Entry

“Duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duck. Accessed 18 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for duck

duck

verb

English Language Learners Definition of duck

: to lower your head or body suddenly to avoid being seen or hit

: to lower (your head) suddenly

: to avoid (something, such as a punch) by lowering your head or body suddenly

See the full definition for duck in the English Language Learners Dictionary

duck

noun

\ ˈdək

Kids Definition of duck

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a swimming bird that has a broad flat bill and is smaller than the related goose and swan

duck

verb

ducked; ducking

Kids Definition of duck (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to push under water for a moment The swan ducked its head.

2 : to lower the head or body suddenly You have to duck through the doorway.

3 : to avoid by moving quickly He ducked the punch.

4 : to avoid a duty, question, or responsibility Let's duck out of work early.

duck

noun

\ ˈdək

plural ducks or duck

Medical Definition of duck

: any of various swimming birds (family Anatidae, the duck family) in which the neck and legs are short, the feet typically webbed, the bill often broad and flat, and the sexes usually different from each other in plumage

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