pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən 

: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch

Examples of pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An underdeveloped subplot sees Temir befriend Alika (Jaliyah Richards), a self-conscious Nigerian-American girl from his wrestling class, while a contrastingly fanciful one concerns Azik’s capturing of a likewise far-from-home pelican to cheer up the heavily pregnant and bone-weary Zalya. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026

In this one, two Newark teenagers rub their naked spines together in an effort to cure a bad case of bacne while a wild pelican watches them from the corner of the room. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026

At the International Bird Rescue Center in Fairfield, staff are caring for about 20 pelicans suffering from starvation, while nearly 50 more are receiving treatment at the organization’s Southern California hospital in San Pedro, according to local news stations KCRA. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026

There was some grumbling about a potential slight of pelicans and whether flamingos should be considered native to Florida. —Douglas Hanks may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pelican

• brown pelican
• pelican crossing

Kids Definition

pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən 

: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food