Illustration of tern
: 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
Examples of tern in a Sentence
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Keep your eyes open along the coastline for nesting terns.
—
Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025
In recent years, the refuge has provided important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangered roseate tern.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 July 2025
Little terns face threats similar to other beach-nesting birds, including native and invasive predators, being crushed or disturbed by vehicles or people, and flooding of their nesting sites, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Common bird sightings include gulls, terns, and various shorebirds like piping plovers and red knots.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
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Jeri Clausing, AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025
In recent years, the refuge has provided important resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the endangered roseate tern.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 July 2025
Little terns face threats similar to other beach-nesting birds, including native and invasive predators, being crushed or disturbed by vehicles or people, and flooding of their nesting sites, according to the release.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Common bird sightings include gulls, terns, and various shorebirds like piping plovers and red knots.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tern
Cite this Entry
“Tern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tern. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tern
noun
: 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
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