shearwater

noun

shear·​wa·​ter ˈshir-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce shearwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: any of numerous oceanic birds (especially genus Puffinus) that are related to the petrels and usually skim close to the waves in flight

Examples of shearwater in a Sentence

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.
Worryingly, the diet of flesh-footed shearwaters that nest on Lord Howe Island in New South Wales, Australia, is increasingly seasoned with plastic waste drifting in the oceans, including fledglings. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 In this chilling image, Australian photographer Justin Gilligan designed a mosaic from the 403 bits of plastic found in the digestive tract of a single, dead flesh-footed shearwater. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024 Justin Gilligan creates a mosaic from the 403 pieces of plastic found inside the digestive tract of a dead flesh-footed shearwater. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 As a result, boobies, shearwaters, petrels, and other seabirds have recovered, and island creatures from lizards to stick insects have reclaimed their homes. Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shearwater 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shearwater was circa 1671

Dictionary Entries Near shearwater

Cite this Entry

“Shearwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shearwater. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shearwater

noun
shear·​wa·​ter ˈshi(ə)r-ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce shearwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: any of numerous marine birds related to the petrels and albatrosses that often skim close to the water during flight

More from Merriam-Webster on shearwater

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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