Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

yellowlegs

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction yel·low·legs \ ˈye-lō-ˌlegz , ˈye-lə- , -ˌlāgz \

Definition of yellowlegs

: either of two American shorebirds of the sandpiper family with yellow legs:
a : greater yellowlegs
b : lesser yellowlegs

First Known Use of yellowlegs

circa 1772

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Learn More about yellowlegs

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yellowlegs

Seen and Heard

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

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

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