egret

American  

[ee-grit, eg-rit, ee-gret, ee-gret] / ˈi grɪt, ˈɛg rɪt, iˈgrɛt, ˈi grɛt /

noun

1. any of several usually white herons that grow long, graceful plumes during the breeding season, as Egretta garzetta little egret, of the Old World.

2. aigrette.

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egret British  

/ ˈiːɡrɪt /

noun

1. any of various wading birds of the genera Egretta, Hydranassa, etc, that are similar to herons but usually have a white plumage and, in the breeding season, long feathery plumes: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes See also aigrette

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Etymology

Origin of egret

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English egret(e), from Anglo-French egret (compare Middle French égreste aigrette ), alteration (with -on exchanged for -et -et ) of dialectal Old French aigron, from Germanic; see heron

Explanation

An egret is a white bird with long legs, usually found wading along marshy shorelines. Egrets are expert fishers and sometimes even use sticks and insects to draw fish closer before gobbling them up. Egret comes from the French aigrette, which means "silver heron" and also "brush," which describes the plumes of white feathers that appear on an egret's back during the breeding season. These birds, many of which are bright white, are a type of heron. They hunt for fish in both freshwater and saltwater, wading through the shallows on their long legs.

Example Sentences

Larsen, who describes himself as a birder, said he enjoyed spotting a great egret in the river.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2025

He liked the painting, a colorful picture of a bird called an egret.

From NewsForKids.net • Feb. 22, 2024

Although the virus has never been detected in wild Australian waterbirds, the country is home to several egret species and one heron species that can be infected with JEV in the lab.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 21, 2023

As Savage finished a recent morning flight, a nearby great egret was undisturbed as it searched the tall grasses for food.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

An egret swooped by and darted off again, leaving the echo of its cry.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook