flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-(ˌ)gō 

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

Illustration of flamingo

Examples of flamingo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The zoo named two Chilean flamingo chicks Astro and Orbit in October 2022, as the Astros were in the midst of their championship run. —Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 8 May 2026

Last year the Florida House overwhelmingly passed legislation to end the Northern mockingbird’s 99-year run as the state bird and replace it with the American flamingo. —Douglas Hanks may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

Formed by volcanic debris a quarter of a million years ago, the alkaline, algae-rich lakes attract giant flocks of hungry flamingos, along with a vast variety of wading and migratory birds. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026

According to Philadelphiamagazine, 13 Chilean flamingos that previously resided at Neverland Ranch were sent to the Cape May County Park & Zoo in 2007. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flamingo

• bingo
• dingo
• gringo
• lingo

Kids Definition

flamingo

noun

fla·​min·​go flə-ˈmiŋ-gō 

plural flamingos also flamingoes

: any of several rosy-white birds with scarlet wings, a very long neck and legs, and a broad bill bent down at the end that are often found wading in shallow water

Etymology

from Portuguese flamingo "flamingo," from Spanish flamenco "flamingo," derived from Latin flamma "flame"; so called from the fiery red feathers on the underside of the wings