Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

takahe

noun
ta·ka·he | \tä-ˈkä-(ˌ)hā \

Definition of takahe 

: a flightless bird (Porphyrio mantelli synonym Notornis mantelli) of the rail family that occurs in New Zealand

First Known Use of takahe

1851, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for takahe

Maori

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about takahe

Dictionary Entries near takahe

Tajumulco

taka

takable

takahe

takamaka

Takamatsu

Takatsuki

Statistics for takahe

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for takahe

The first known use of takahe was in 1851

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on takahe

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about takahe

Comments on takahe

What made you want to look up takahe? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

brouhaha

a state of commotion or excitement

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games