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

The 17-acre green space is home to native foliage, mammals (like alpacas, emus and Sardinian sheep) and birds (such as pheasants, turkeys and Mandarin ducks). —Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

But a pattern that gives you a pretty good spread at 20 yards, 25 yards — which is where most pheasants are shot — is a good thing. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Dec. 2024

Males of the pheasant species, native to southeast Asia, have dark bodies and brightly colored tail feathers, almost like their backs have been set on fire. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025

Growing up, the brothers bonded over polo, pheasant shooting and other country sports, as royals typically do. —Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 19 Mar. 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