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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These immobile, tubular structures sit on the front of an owl’s face like a pair of built-in binoculars.
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From shadow under the eave, cuts and spreads vermillion across the barn's weathered crust, dots a highlight with fine point in the eye of an owl.
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The showhouse is featured in a glossy, 72-page magazine, filled with photos of the foyer, library, sun room, 'tween suite, master bath and closet, lady's office, early-bird room, night-owl retreat and other rooms.
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Shea asks whether his newest pet, an imposing eagle owl named Simon, is at the studio today.
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The findings, described in the journal Chronobiology International, offer the first study linking mortality risk to night-owl sleep habits, according to the authors.
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Fans can examine Selznick’s covers for such Potter talismans as Hermione’s time-turner; Harry’s owl, Hedwig; the white doe Patronus; and, Nagini, Voldemort’s snake.
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This owl, dazed when a motorist got it off Oracle Road last night, revived inside her car.
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The 47th Annual Earth Day was held at the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods in the southern part of the county, where there were guided tours of green buildings, owls, hikes and baby lambs.
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
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: before 12th century
in the meaning defined above
See Words from the same yearOWL Defined for English Language Learners
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
noun
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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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