tern

noun

ˈtərn 

: any of various chiefly marine birds (subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae and especially genus Sterna) that differ from the related gulls in usually smaller size, a more slender build, a sharply pointed bill, narrower wings, and an often forked tail

Illustration of tern

Examples of tern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the journey, participants can keep their eyes peeled for a wide variety of avian species spanning from the black-legged kittiwake to the razorbill to the Caspian tern, and to sweeten the deal, the surrounding waters are also brimming with humpback whales from early summer to late fall. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Those birds, following Lake Michigan’s shoreline, include raptors, waterfowl, gulls, terns and shorebirds. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Two white-cheeked terns fight for territory in the heart of Kubbar Island, Kuwait, where the summer sun blazes relentlessly. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Once the young have left the nest, Forster’s terns often migrate to the coasts. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish terne tern

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tern

• arctic tern
• least tern
• roseate tern
• sooty tern

Rhymes for tern

• churns
• earns
• ferns
• kerns
• learns
• spurns
• sterns
• terns
• turns
• yearns
• adjourns
• concerns

Kids Definition

tern

noun

ˈtərn 

: any of numerous sea birds that often have a forked tail, black cap, and white or gray body and that in comparison to the related gulls have a smaller and slenderer body and bill and narrower wings