swallowtail

noun

swal·​low·​tail ˈswä-lō-ˌtāl 

-lə-

1

: a deeply forked and tapering tail (as of a swallow)

2

: tailcoat

3

: any of various usually large brightly marked butterflies (family Papilionidae, especially genus Papilio) with each hind wing typically having an elongated process

swallow-tailed

ˈswä-lō-ˌtāld 

-lə-

adjective

Illustration of swallowtail

• swallowtail 3

Examples of swallowtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This gives the new trailer a rear profile that looks like a fishtail or swallowtail. — New Atlas, 5 June 2026

Some will overwinter as a pupa stage (swallowtail butterflies, and some beetle species), and others as larva or nymphs (ground-nesting bees and wasps, some species of beetles, grasshoppers, moths and butterflies). — Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 16 May 2026

The neighbourhood Given its private island locale, your neighbours—bar other guests—are monitor lizards, hornbills, and swallowtail butterflies. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Numerous pollinators frequent the blooms and plants serve as host to two species of swallowtail butterfly. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing swallowtail

• black swallowtail
• tiger swallowtail

Rhymes for swallowtail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• wensleydale
• yellowtail

Kids Definition

swallowtail

noun

swal·​low·​tail ˈswäl-ō-ˌtāl 

1

: a deeply forked and tapering tail (as of a swallow)

2

: any of various usually large butterflies in which the hind wing is elongated into a process that resembles a tail

swallow-tailed

ˌswäl-ō-ˈtāld

adjective