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

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is on the case, but the peafowls’ disappearance is no less painful for the grand old hotel’s visitors and its employees who for years have watched the proud birds rule the roost. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2025

Just days ago, 40 of the Indian blue peafowl roamed the Ryde’s 10 acres in Walnut Grove on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, said Rafe Goorwitch, the hotel’s catering coordinator. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2025

But even without trapping in the last few years — the program hasn’t been used since 2021 — the number of peafowl in the area has remained relatively stagnant. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025

Now the peafowl number more than 50, and funeral coordinator and embalmer Eddie Martinez is in charge of their care. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

pea- (as in peacock) + fowl

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peafowl

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• waterfowl