puffin
Americannoun
-
puffins
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of puffin
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English poffoun, poffin, puffon (compare Anglo-Latin poffo, puffo ); origin uncertain
Explanation
A puffin is a black and white seabird with a bright orange beak and matching feet. Most puffins live in the northernmost parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Puffins belong to the family of birds known as auks. While puffins' coloring, proximity to the ocean, and fondness for fish make them similar to penguins, the two birds have some major differences. Penguins, which don't fly, have heavy bones that help them swim. Puffins, on the other hand, have hollow bones that assist them in soaring through the air. And while penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere, puffins are only found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Vocabulary lists containing puffin
Birds, Birds, Birds, List 2
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Example Sentences
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See Examples For:
The red fox, in the mammals category, and the common kingfisher, among the birds, received more nominations than the Atlantic puffin.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The owl, bumblebee and hedgehog topped a public vote in their specific categories, and the puffin was included to celebrate marine life, the coastline and bring variety to the notes, the Bank said.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The puffin and bees also feature on coins, as part of the Royal Mint's redesigned 20p and £1 coins respectively.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
Other popular cruises include excursions run by Cap’n Fish’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor to nearby Eastern Egg Rock, a 7-acre rocky island hosting about 80 breeding puffin pairs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
A puffin marches into battle in order to heroically run away, or fly away, but in either case, it’s the “away” part that’s crucial.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
It is rich with wildlife including puffins and seals and its rugged landscape makes for breathtaking views.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The challenge of sighting puffins adds to their allure: Like Maine’s other photogenic wildlife icon, the moose, puffins are genetically wired to stay elusive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park is a pristine home to brown bears, horned puffins and beluga whales.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026
There are now around 30 breeding pairs of puffins, which is being seen as a real success story.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
“Then we’ll add in the lines for the two puffins and see where they intersect.”
From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt
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