flamingo

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noun fla·min·go \flə-ˈmiŋ-(ˌ)gō\

Definition of flamingo

plural

flamingos

also

flamingoes

: any of several large aquatic birds (family Phoenicopteridae) with long legs and neck, webbed feet, a broad lamellate bill resembling that of a duck but abruptly bent downward, and usually rosy-white plumage with scarlet wing coverts and black wing quills

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Recent Examples of flamingo from the Web

This means the unnamed chick, born July 4, will likely be the only newborn flamingo in 2017.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "Audubon debuts flamingo who will be the only zoo chick born in 2017," 18 July 2017
Eolo’s gauchos took me on horseback through the steppeland, where flamingos, guanacos, and horses roam around the lagoons.

— cnt editors, CNT, "Why We're Heading to Maine and Argentina Next," 13 July 2017
In an image uploaded to her Instagram account in May, the model sits atop an inflatable pink flamingo wearing a swimsuit in a matching rosy hue, retro sunnies and a wide-brimmed straw hat.

— ariana marsh, Teen Vogue, "8 Swimwear Looks With Matching Pool Floats," 3 July 2017
Vacationers on Johnson Beach, near the Alabama/Florida state line area, were able to spot two pink flamingos roaming the coastline around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Pink flamingos appear on Johnson Beach during Tropical Storm Cindy," 22 June 2017
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, riders are occasionally accompanied by flamingos.

— jesse ryan, USA TODAY, "VR: Fly through the water on a kiteboard in Cancun," 22 June 2017
The neatly manicured campus has one-legged robots that swoop up and down like yellow flamingos, an employee gym, a cadaver lab and a coffee bar serving Starbucks.

— danielle paquette, chicagotribune.com, "In slice of Midwest, labor shortage weighs on economy," 21 June 2017
Its flamingos were so famous, they were featured in the opening credits of Miami Vice.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Jungle Island is getting a new identity: an action-adventure park," 18 June 2017
Leave that inflatable flamingo, pizza slice raft and pink-frosted doughnut float at home.

— leonor vivanco, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago's outdoor pools open Friday," 15 June 2017

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

Illustration of flamingo

Origin and Etymology of flamingo

obsolete Spanish flamengo (now flamenco), literally, Fleming, German (conventionally thought of as ruddy-complexioned)

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First Known Use: 1565

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FLAMINGO Defined for English Language Learners

flamingo

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noun

Definition of flamingo for English Language Learners

: a large tropical bird that has pink or red wings and a very long neck and legs

FLAMINGO Defined for Kids

flamingo

play

noun fla·min·go \flə-ˈmiŋ-go\

Definition of flamingo for Students

plural

flamingos

flamingoes

: a large pale pink to reddish waterbird with very long neck and legs and a broad bill bent downward at the end

History for flamingo

The English word flamingo came from the bird's Spanish name, which was originally spelled flamengo and is now flamenco. In Spanish flamenco literally means “Fleming,” which is a name for the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of Belgium. Spaniards conventionally thought of Flemings as fair, but with ruddy faces, and this is probably why they gave this name to the pinkish birds—though no one knows for certain.