cygnet

American  

[sig-nit] / ˈsɪg nɪt /

noun

1. a young swan.

---

cygnet British  

/ ˈsɪɡnɪt /

noun

1. a young swan

---

Usage

What does cygnet mean? A cygnet is a young swan.The word cygnet is a general term for a young swan that’s used in the same way that the word duckling is used to refer to a young duck or the word gosling is used to refer to a young goose.There are several different kinds of swans, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, tundra swan, and whooper swan. The young of any swan species can be called cygnets.Example: The ugly duckling in the fairy tale was actually a cygnet—ducklings don’t turn into swans, you know.

Etymology

Origin of cygnet

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English signet, from Latin cygnus, variant of cycnus, from Greek kýknos “swan”; -et

Example Sentences

Last year's count only found 94 cygnets, a major decline in the swan population.

From BBC

Analysis of the GPS data shows that cygnets fly further to the southwest during autumn migration on colder days.

From Science Daily

The British monarch’s annual “swan upping” — a census of the fowl along a stretch of the River Thames — found a worrisome drop in cygnets from last year.

From New York Times

A historic royal census, known as "swan upping", has revealed a 40% drop in the number of cygnets on the River Thames, compared with last year.

From BBC

In his scarlet jacket, Mr Barber is in charge of a flotilla of small boats that glide up the River Thames, stopping to count, weigh, measure and check the well-being of young swans, called cygnets.

From BBC