poultry

noun

poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
Synonyms of poultrynext
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

Examples of poultry in a Sentence

This wine goes well with poultry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Need to report a problem with a meat, poultry or egg products? Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025 The highly pathogenic Eurasian H5N1 strain of bird flu began causing problems for North American poultry and wild birds in February 2022. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025 Bird flu already had been detected in poultry flocks in Wisconsin. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 14 Dec. 2025 Add poultry seasoning and Parmesan for extra flavor. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poultry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pultrie, from Anglo-French pulletrie, from pulleter poulterer, from pullet chicken — more at pullet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poultry was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poultry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poultry. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

poultry

noun
poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat
Etymology

Middle English pultrie "fowl raised for food," from early French pulletrie (same meaning), from pulleter "one who raises poultry," from pullet "chicken" — related to pullet

More from Merriam-Webster on poultry

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