kingfisher

noun

king·​fish·​er ˈkiŋ-ˌfi-shər 

: any of numerous nonpasserine birds (family Alcedinidae) that are usually crested and bright-colored with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill

Examples of kingfisher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along the way, guests might watch kingfishers dart through palm groves, pause at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, or step ashore to see traditional boat builders at work. —Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025

Birders will likely be delighted with the number of species that have been spotted — over 80 — including kingfishers, cormorants and herons. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

It will be followed by birding and animal spotting across wadis, mangroves and desert highlands, with targets including pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, hamadryas baboons and gazelles. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025

Japanese bullet trains have long noses designed to copy the beaks of kingfishers, and woodpeckers’ natural shock absorption could be borrowed for applications including protection of airplane black boxes. —Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kingfisher

• belted kingfisher

Rhymes for kingfisher

• commissure
• fissure
• swisher
• wisher

Kids Definition

kingfisher

noun

king·​fish·​er -ˌfish-ər 

: any of various bright-colored birds with a short tail, a long stout sharp bill, and usually a crest on the head