Definition of LEAST TERN

Examples of least tern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Environmental groups raised concerns that unleashed canines could cause harm to rare and at-risk western snowy plovers and California least terns that roost nearby. — Hillary Davis, Daily Pilot, "Panel to discuss rules for dogs at Newport’s beaches and parks," 6 Sep. 2019 More than 150 pairs of American oystercatchers, least terns and black skimmers have successively laid eggs near Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach. — USA TODAY, "Chicago cows, bras for turtles, gold rush: News from around our 50 states," 1 July 2019 Several rare species of flora and fauna live in the area, including the California gnatcatcher, California least tern and Orcutt’s brodiaea, San Diego button celery and the San Diego goldenstar. — Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, "University City: ‘Golden Triangle’ is bustling, will soon welcome trolley," 28 June 2019 Piping plovers, least terns, American oystercatchers, herons and egrets are particularly vulnerable. — USA TODAY, "Kacey Musgraves, sneaker flap, skiing in July: News from around our 50 states," 3 July 2019 Two royal terns and a Caspian tern were at Race Point in Provincetown, along with 18 piping plovers, 175 least terns, 12 roseate terns, an Arctic tern, 11 Wilson’s storm-petrels, 8 sooty shearwaters, and 5 Manx shearwaters. — BostonGlobe.com, "Bird sightings on Cape Cod," 1 July 2019 The islands also are used as nesting sites by least terns, Forster’s terns, oystercatchers and other waterbirds. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Cow Trap Lake Project a success on multiple levels," 10 May 2018 Another reason some boats aren’t immediately destroyed and removed is that such work is prohibited part of the year by environmental protections in place for a bird called the California least tern. — David Garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spike in abandoned boats prompts calls for crackdown," 11 Oct. 2017

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