heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən 

ˈhe-rən

plural herons also heron

: any of various long-necked and long-legged wading birds (family Ardeidae) with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage

Examples of heron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These residents have gathered every night for the past few weeks to scare away migratory egrets and herons that seem to like the suburbs. —Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026

Wisconsin's side is more serene and wooded, home to a large lake, a heron rookery, and a wildlife trail. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 17 Apr. 2026

And for the tireless efforts of the Society’s 2,000 members and donors, the basin remains a destination for nature lovers who track white pelicans, geese, cormorants, herons and other birds in a 2,150-acre playground filled with native plants. —Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026

The seats are in place, alternated in pink, black, gray and white with some positioned to depict a heron, the team’s mascot. —Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heiroun, hayroun, from Anglo-French heiron, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing heron

• black-crowned night heron
• blue heron
• great blue heron
• great white heron
• green heron
• night heron

Rhymes for heron

• burin
• charon
• herren
• karen
• marron
• perron
• terran
• acheron
• operon
• percheron
• polaron
• lactoferrin

Kids Definition

heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən 

plural herons also heron

: any of various wading birds with a long neck, long legs, a long thin bill and large wings