waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 

ˈwä-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that frequents water

especially : a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird

Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence

The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

This surge, the agency says, comes amid the start of waterfowl migration season — and the Farm Bureau expects more cases as migration continues, with infected wild birds spreading the virus. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

Learn ways to protect your flock this fall as migrating waterfowl raise the risk of deadly avian influenza entering your coop. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025

Largely, the cases pop up around the spring or fall, during the time that wild waterfowl are migrating. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025

The intent is to reduce the population of the non-native mute swan, a large, voracious and territorial bird that competes for resources with native waterfowl and other wetland species. —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for waterfowl

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl

Kids Definition

waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l 

ˈwät-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that is found in or near water

especially : a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game