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
Next month, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) will consider a measure that would open waterfowl hunting on an 87-mile stretch of the Yellowstone River in a part of the Big Sky State known for great goose hunting.
—
Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
Steel waterfowl shotshells remain the most popular.
—Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 28 Mar. 2024
Further south, Bellevue’s sprawling Lake Sammamish offers ample opportunity for spotting a wide variety of waterfowl along its idyllic shores.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
But steel shot for waterfowl remains the most popular.
—Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 28 Mar. 2024
During a visit, Shank Painter Pond Wildlife Sanctuary boasts river otters, native turtles and a wealth of warblers, waterfowl and raptors, providing guests with some of the finest birdwatching opportunities in the entire town.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Hands-on activities; exhibitors showcasing the latest in hunting, fishing and camping gear; educational seminars; cooking seminars; rock crawling demonstrations; elk and waterfowl calling contests; more.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
The end of market hunting, along with the 1991 nationwide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mandate prohibiting the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting and the growth of conservation organizations have contributed to the canvasback’s incredible comeback.
—M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 8 Nov. 2023
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
Steel waterfowl shotshells remain the most popular.
—Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 28 Mar. 2024
Further south, Bellevue’s sprawling Lake Sammamish offers ample opportunity for spotting a wide variety of waterfowl along its idyllic shores.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
But steel shot for waterfowl remains the most popular.
—Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, 28 Mar. 2024
During a visit, Shank Painter Pond Wildlife Sanctuary boasts river otters, native turtles and a wealth of warblers, waterfowl and raptors, providing guests with some of the finest birdwatching opportunities in the entire town.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Hands-on activities; exhibitors showcasing the latest in hunting, fishing and camping gear; educational seminars; cooking seminars; rock crawling demonstrations; elk and waterfowl calling contests; more.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
The end of market hunting, along with the 1991 nationwide U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mandate prohibiting the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting and the growth of conservation organizations have contributed to the canvasback’s incredible comeback.
—M.d. Johnson, Field & Stream, 8 Nov. 2023
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waterfowl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of waterfowl was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near waterfowl
Cite this Entry
“Waterfowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterfowl. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on waterfowl
Nglish: Translation of waterfowl for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about waterfowl
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