pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən How to pronounce pelican (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The massive slick of oil engulfed and killed hundreds of marine animals, including, seals, dolphins and pelicans. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024 There are some missteps, like a pelican character controlled by a fish in its mouth and three cute bunnies who appear adorable and yet are deeply psychotic. Mark Kennedy, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 The birds quickly progressed as hunters, soon targeting gulls, pelicans and other birds. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024 The newest mural from the popular street artist shows two pelicans eating fish above the yellow sign of a fish and chips takeaway shop in the northeastern London neighborhood of Walthamstow. Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for pelican 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pelican was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near pelican

Cite this Entry

“Pelican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelican. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pelican

noun
pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən How to pronounce pelican (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on pelican

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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