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

Nearby there’s also pheasant, partridge, and clay pigeon shooting, along with deer stalking. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026

Martha now has 11 pheasants on her farm; 10 of which are golden pheasants. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Mar. 2026

Pylkkänen, who hunts for pheasant, roe deer, and much else, served me grouse carpaccio with wild rowan berries. —Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

Bill had a dog for most of his life and loved to pheasant hunt. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2026

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