: 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

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The home’s sleek, ground-huggin linearity stands out among the property’s towering old-growth trees that to any ornithologist’s delight attract a plethora of wildlife including bald eagles, hawks, osprey, and owls. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 May 2025 For folks who like to see faces in clouds, the sun’s surface appears to show a giant owl or a flying phoenix. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025 Drake uses an owl as his logo for merchandise and OVO Sound, his record label. Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025 While Waldrop favored raptors — more than half of the collection included hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls — investigators also noted dozens of duck mounts in the collection. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for owl

Word History

Etymology

Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of owl was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/owl. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

owl

noun
: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws

More from Merriam-Webster on owl

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