golden plover

American

noun

either of two plovers of the genus Pluvialis, having the back marked with golden-yellow spots, P. apricaria, of Europe, or P. dominica, of America.

golden plover British

noun

any of several plovers of the genus Pluvialis, such as P. apricaria of Europe and Asia, that have golden brown back, head, and wings

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of golden plover

First recorded in 1775–85

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.

He adds: "In the spring when the greenshank and golden plover are singing, it's a fantastic place."

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2023

Amongst the first class are capercailzie, … wild duck, and bittern; and amongst the shy ones with camouflaged eggs are lapwing, … ring plover, and golden plover.

From Nature • Aug. 5, 2019

A golden plover flew in front of us and posed on a snow-covered rock.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2016

It all began with a trivia question raised among friends: Which is the fastest game bird in Britain, the golden plover or the red grouse?

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2015

“A golden plover, the spirit of the birds? Where did you hear that?”

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023