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

There is an active osprey nest in the middle of the parking lot. — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2026

There were ospreys, hawks, and a lot of tree swallows. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 16 June 2026

Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys and manatees. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026

Azi Sharif, founder and executive director of Wildlife Jewels, a nonprofit with an office in Solana Beach, was commissioned by the Tennis Club in April to observe the ospreys, take photos and report her findings. — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 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