peafowl

noun

pea·​fowl ˈpē-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 

: any of three very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus and P. muticus of southeastern Asia and Afropavo congensis of central Africa) often raised as ornamental fowls due to their usually colorful, iridescent plumage and especially for the long, trailing tail coverts of the male which can be held more or less erect and outspread see also peacock, peahen

Illustration of peafowl

• A female (peahen)
• B male (peacock)

Examples of peafowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peafowl is the common name for two bird species that belong to the genus Pavo: blue or Indian peafowl, which are originally from the Indian subcontinent and green peafowl, which are native to Southeast Asia. —Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024

The birds are commonly known as peacocks, though the females are technically peahens, and both are peafowl. —Sydney Page, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024

Peacock feathers through eyes of four different animals: (a) a peafowl; (b) humans; (c) honeybees; and (d) dogs. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2024

Controlling the peafowl overpopulation has been a challenge. —Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

pea- (as in peacock) + fowl

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above