guillemot

[gil-uh-mot]

noun

1. a black or brown-speckled seabird of the genus Cepphus, of northern seas, having a sharply pointed black bill, red legs, and white wing patches, as C. grylle black guillemot, of the North Atlantic Ocean and the similar C. columba pigeon guillemot of the North Pacific Ocean.

2. British.,  a murre of the genus Uria.

guillemot

/ ˈɡɪlɪˌmɒt /

noun

1. any northern oceanic diving bird of the genera Uria and Cepphus, having a black-and-white plumage and long narrow bill: family Alcidae (auks, etc), order Charadriiformes

Word History and Origins

Origin of guillemot¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from French, apparently diminutive of Guillaume “William”

Word History and Origins

Origin of guillemot¹

C17: from French, diminutive of Guillaume William

Example Sentences

Its "seabird cities" are home to guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills.

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"Look out for our distinctive green and purple Hope Haven birds, based on the wonderful guillemots at St Bees Head."

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The bay is also home to harbour porpoise, Atlantic grey seals and a variety of bird life including razorbills and guillemots.

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There is good news for some of the seabirds that breed in the UK, with the shag moving from the red list to the amber and the black guillemot from the amber to the green.

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The Northumberland islands - home to puffins, guillemots, razorbills and Arctic, sandwich and common terns - will stay shut for the season.

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