pheasant

noun pheas·ant \ ˈfe-zᵊnt \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of pheasant

plural pheasant or pheasants

1 : any of numerous large often long-tailed and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds (Phasianus and related genera of the family Phasianidae) including many raised as ornamental or game birds — compare ring-necked pheasant

2 : any of various birds resembling a pheasant

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Recent Examples of pheasant from the Web

There is also a more high-end restaurant serving bison, pheasant, deer with garden herbs, and wild rice dishes, followed by miniature maple delights.

— elizabeth warkentin, BostonGlobe.com, "Quaint sugaring experiences in Quebec," 4 Apr. 2018
There are also a duck, a squirrel and a hawk-pheasant combo.

— lainey seyler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "5 weird things Von Trier is auctioning," 20 Mar. 2018
Here are some fishing etiquette tips to keep the peace Bass fishing tips from a high school champ Prince nymphs, hare’s ears, pheasant tails and tiny tailwaters are tried-and-true South Fork patterns.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Check small streams for big fish this spring (fishing report, March 16) | Idaho Statesman," 16 Mar. 2018
Statistical comparison placed the bones of Archaeopteryx very close to those of mostly ground-dwelling birds such as pheasants and roadrunners, Voeten said.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "This 'enigmatic' feathered dinosaur didn't fly like modern birds," 13 Mar. 2018
Archaeopteryx’s measurements best resembled those of living birds that fly for short bursts, such as quails and pheasants.

— National Geographic, "This Famous Dinosaur Could Fly—But Unlike Anything Alive Today," 13 Mar. 2018
Peacocks and pheasant stroll the island’s lanes, sheltering beneath pomegranate trees and in the apricot orchard.

— patrick rogers, Town & Country, "Exploring Venice's Exclusive Private Islands," 12 Mar. 2018
In terms of flight, the pheasant most closely matches this dinosaur, the study suggests.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Dinosaur finally gets its wings: Study proves Archaeopteryx could fly," 13 Mar. 2018
The ring-necked pheasant flapped out of the marsh in the bright morning sun, then glided and set down perhaps 300 yards away.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Traditional archers enjoy challenge of pheasant hunting in annual shoot," 3 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pheasant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pheasant

Middle English fesaunt, from Anglo-French fesant, faisan, from Latin phasianus, from Greek (ornis) phasianos, from phasianos of the Phasis River, from Phasis, river in Colchis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PHEASANT Defined for English Language Learners

pheasant

noun

Definition of pheasant for English Language Learners

: a large bird that has a long tail and is often hunted for food or sport
: the meat of the pheasant eaten as food

PHEASANT Defined for Kids

pheasant

noun pheas·ant \ ˈfe-zᵊnt \

Definition of pheasant for Students

: a large brightly colored bird with a long tail that is related to the chicken and is sometimes hunted for food or sport

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See words that rhyme with pheasant Spanish Central: Translation of pheasant Nglish: Translation of pheasant for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pheasant

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pheasant

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pheasant

Definition of pheasant for English Language Learners

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pheasant

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