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noun pheas·ant \ ˈfe-zᵊnt \

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

The menu for the flight included some meals from original menus of the period, including shrimp salad and pheasant terrine, codfish à Zé do pipo, the sirloin à portuguesa, and a banana parfait with chocolate for dessert.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Portuguese airline TAP lands first U.S.-bound 1970s-themed flight in Miami," 11 Aug. 2017
Turkeys trot by, flying squirrels glide into trees, a coyote stalks a rooster pheasant.

— rick romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Despite growing worries about the herd's health, the annual fall deer hunt continues as a family tradition," 6 July 2017
Great Southern Outdoors also offers quail, chukar partridge and pheasant hunts.

— joe songer | jsonger@al.com, AL.com, "The greatest outdoor adventure you can have in each Alabama county," 22 June 2017
Some states have limited the use of lead ammunition in areas where hunters pursue quail, pheasants, grouse and other birds, while others have restricted the use of lead fishing weights and hooks.

— michele gorman, Newsweek, "Do Lead Bullets Kill Twice? Inside the Fight Over How Ammunition Is Made," 31 May 2017
It can be found in ducks, pheasants and other creatures.

— james gorman, New York Times, "Challenging Mainstream Thought About Beauty’s Big Hand in Evolution," 29 May 2017
Unlike duck hunters, hunters for other game — pheasants and wild turkeys, for example — are allowed to shoot lead.

— dave orrick, Twin Cities, "DNR plan to restrict lead ammo for hunters stymied at Capitol," 22 May 2017
Anglers have had success using pheasant tails, RS2’s, Parachute Adams, and stoneflies.

— colorado parks & wildlife, The Denver Post, "Colorado fishing report for week of May 7, 2017," 7 May 2017
La Paloma served Mexican food that included traditional favorites as well as exotic game like antelope, pheasant, and ostrich.

— teri figueroa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New eatery, live music set for popular Vista site," 3 May 2017

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

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PHEASANT Defined for English Language Learners

pheasant

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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

play

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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