peafowl

[pee-foul]

noun

plural

peafowls ,

plural

peafowl .

1. any of several gallinaceous birds of the genera Pavo, of India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the East Indies, and Afropavo, of Africa.

peafowl

/ ˈpiːˌfaʊl /

noun

1. either of two large pheasants, Pavo cristatus ( blue peafowl ) of India and Ceylon and P. muticus ( green peafowl ) of SE Asia. The males (peacocks) have a characteristic bright plumage See peacock

2. a rare closely related African species, Afropavo congensis ( Congo peafowl ), both sexes of which are brightly coloured

Word History and Origins

Origin of peafowl¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; pea ( peacock ) + fowl

Example Sentences

A new owner purchased the property 14 years ago and brought with him a peafowl and peahen, said Nielsen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Barnes said any trapped peafowl would be sent to homes off the peninsula that had been screened and reviewed by the city and its trapping vendor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wild peafowl can live as long as 25 years.

Read more on BBC

Shreyovi spotted the two Indian peafowl while walking in the forest with her parents.

Read more on BBC

Ms. Shields was told he was rescued from other peafowl, who can turn aggressive toward their old, pecking them to death.

Read more on New York Times