waterfowl

[waw-ter-foul, wot-er-]

noun

plural

waterfowls ,

plural

waterfowl .

1. a water bird, especially a swimming bird.

2. such birds taken collectively, especially the swans, geese, and ducks.

waterfowl

/ ˈwɔːtəˌfaʊl /

noun

1. any aquatic freshwater bird, esp any species of the family Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans)

2. such birds collectively

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterfowl¹

1250–1300; Middle English; cognate with German Wasservogel; water, fowl

Example Sentences

The avian influenza virus known as H5N1 has threatened U.S. poultry farms since 2022, after migratory waterfowl carried a new strain of the virus into North and South America.

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Starting Jan. 1, anyone with a valid hunting license will be able to kill the invasive waterfowl at any time, according to an agency news release.

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Compared to most conservative-skewing programming, “Duck Dynasty: The Revival” is gentle, even taking into account the hints at waterfowl murder.

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Duck isn’t on the menu, but a certain waterfowl is the star of this dinner at the Grand Californian’s Storytellers Cafe.

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A friend gave them the sticker because they knew they loved waterfowl.

Read more on Los Angeles Times