pheasant

noun

pheas·​ant ˈfe-zᵊnt 

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

Examples of pheasant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Explored via elevated walkways, the woodsy preserve shelters other endemic species like sambar deer, blue sheep, muntjac and golden pheasant. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

The Sun recently reported there is a potential shortage of pheasants at the monarch’s Sandringham Estate, which could affect the chances of a full shooting calendar this winter. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2025

Officials implied that the photos and video show the same pheasant but did not say so explicitly. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025

And there were also some very colorful pheasants roaming around the property. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pheasant

• ring-necked pheasant

Rhymes for pheasant

• peasant
• pleasant
• present
• omnipresent
• unpleasant

Kids Definition

pheasant

noun

pheas·​ant ˈfez-ᵊnt 

plural pheasant or pheasants

: any of numerous large long-tailed brightly colored birds that are related to the domestic chicken and many of which are raised as ornamental or game birds