Definition of owl
:any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage
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Recent Examples of owl from the Web
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Connecting with history through Mexican folklórico dance (3:25) Numerically speaking, Wilma and Harold Matz are rarer around here than the endangered northern spotted owl.
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The monument, located southwest of Tucson, is also home to species including hawks, owls, desert bighorn sheep and tortoises.
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There are flocks of geese and ducks, soaring Swainson’s hawks (all nicknamed Gloria — Gloria Swainson, get it?), osprey and great horned owls.
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A great horned owl perched on a spruce snag and watched us swat through dinner.
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Of course, there's a Youtube version of camping, with the sounds of crickets, owls, and the cracking of a fire.
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But why do its tellers seem to think that the American night has no stars, nothing but bats and owls and the insane moon?
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Luckily, the Frank web site sells short the treats available to the night owls.
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The Bat Zone is now home to about 250 bats, a couple of owls and a two-toed sloth.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'owl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of owl
Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl
OWL Defined for English Language Learners
owl
play
noun
Definition of owl for English Language Learners
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: a bird that usually hunts at night and that has a large head and eyes, a powerful hooked beak, and strong claws
OWL Defined for Kids
owl
play
noun
\
ˈau̇l
\
Definition of owl for Students
:a large bird with big head and eyes, hooked bill, and strong claws that is active at night and feeds on small animals
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owlish
adjectiveLearn More about owl
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See words that rhyme with owl Spanish Central: Translation of owl Nglish: Translation of owl for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of owl for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about owl
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