Definition of pelican
: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch
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Recent Examples of pelican from the Web
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The pelican in question was found on the weekend of October 14 on Pelican Point in Baldwin County.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has turned its sights on a Baldwin County investigation, after a dead pelican was found bound by electrical tape.
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Soon pelicans swarmed, then Lake Turkana was upon us.
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The juvenile pelican was too tired to lift his head at first.
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The pelican snapped at one of the veterinarians a few times before stumbling backward.
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Brown pelicans and frigatebirds that had been foraging over the water before the eclipse left the bay 13 minutes before totality and didn’t return until 12 minutes after the solar disk was fully revealed.
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Whales spouted, dolphins broke the water, pelicans skimmed, terns dove, and sea lions spun all around me.
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Brown pelicans and frigatebirds that had been foraging over the water before the eclipse left the bay 13 minutes before totality and didn’t return until 12 minutes after the solar disk was fully revealed.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pelican.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pelican
Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan
PELICAN Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of pelican for English Language Learners
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: a large ocean bird that has a large bag that is part of its lower bill for catching and holding fish
PELICAN Defined for Kids
Definition of pelican for Students
: a large bird with webbed feet and a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food
Learn More about pelican
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Spanish Central: Translation of pelican Nglish: Translation of pelican for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pelican for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pelican
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