black-backed gull
Americannoun
noun
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either of two common black-and-white European coastal gulls, Larus fuscus ( lesser black-backed gull ) and L. marinus ( great black-backed gull )
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Also called: karoro. a southern gull, larus dominicanus , with black feathers on its back
Etymology
Origin of black-backed gull
First recorded in 1770–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Global great black-backed gull populations have almost halved since 1985.
From Salon • Oct. 20, 2024
Then, in November 2020, came evidence it had jumped the Atlantic Ocean: Researchers documented a sick great black-backed gull on Newfoundland.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 6, 2023
When a great black-backed gull that had been gliding above the surface paused, and then climbed up about 20 feet, Calabro turned the boat immediately.
From Slate • Sep. 1, 2022
Great black-backed gull, Arctic tern, common guillemot and puffin have also tested positive.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2022
“Why is it so important that I be sure that it’s a great black-backed gull, Duane the polar bear?”
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
