osprey

noun

os·​prey ˈä-sprē  -ˌsprā 

plural ospreys

1

: a large fish-eating hawk (Pandion haliaetus) with long wings that is dark brown above and mostly pure white below

2

: a feather trimming used for millinery

Illustration of osprey

• osprey 1

Examples of osprey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sharif estimated the ospreys will depart in three to four months, once their chicks are able to fly. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Bald eagles eat carrion and are notorious for robbing osprey of their catches, the Smithsonian said. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Since 2005, Lake Katherine has been a refuge for migrating birds, beavers, muskrats, bald eagles, ospreys, turtles, and more. —Mikayla Price, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Watch dunlins, piping plovers, herons, osprey, and even bald eagles make the mangroves and coastal pines their warm-weather home. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ospray, from Anglo-French *osfraie, from Latin ossifraga, a bird of prey

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

osprey

noun

os·​prey ˈäs-prē  -ˌprā 

plural ospreys

: a large hawk that is dark brown above and mostly white below and that feeds chiefly on fish

called also fish hawk