woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er ˈwu̇d-ˌpe-kər 

: any of numerous birds (family Picidae) with zygodactyl feet, stiff spiny tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a usually extensible tongue, a very hard bill used to drill the bark or wood of trees for insect food or to excavate nesting cavities, and generally showy parti-colored plumage

Illustration of woodpecker

Examples of woodpecker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In woodpeckers and other birds, the wing joints are reinforced by a network of soft, prestressed connective tissue that helps absorb shocks from collisions with obstacles. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

An old larch makes a great choice for cavity nesters like woodpeckers. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 21 Sep. 2025

After a tour, keep wildlife-watching from one of the tents or cabins at Collective Retreats Governors Island, which is open May to October on a 172-acre island in New York Harbor that attracts hawks, herons, woodpeckers, and more. —Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025

The need for big trees Another bird that has dramatically increased in population and range is the pileated woodpecker. —Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing woodpecker

• acorn woodpecker
• downy woodpecker
• hairy woodpecker
• ivory-billed woodpecker
• pileated woodpecker
• red-bellied woodpecker
• red-cockaded woodpecker

Rhymes for woodpecker

• exchequer
• checker
• chequer
• decker
• wrecker

Kids Definition

woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er -ˌpek-ər 

: any of numerous brightly marked birds with strong claws and stiff tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a long flexible tongue, and a very hard bill used to drill into trees to get insects for food and to dig out holes for nesting