heron

¹ American  

[her-uhn] / ˈhɛr ən /

noun

1. any of numerous long-legged, long-necked, usually long-billed birds of the family Ardeidae, including the true herons, egrets, night herons, and bitterns.

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Heron ² American  

[heer-on] / ˈhɪər ɒn /

noun

1. Hero.

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Heron ¹ British  

/ ˈhɪərɒn /

noun

1. same as Hero

2. Patrick. 1920–99, British abstract painter and art critic

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heron ² British  

/ ˈhɛrən /

noun

1. any of various wading birds of the genera Butorides, Ardea, etc, having a long neck, slim body, and a plumage that is commonly grey or white: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes

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Etymology

Origin of heron

1275–1325; Middle English heiro ( u ) n, hero ( u ) n < Middle French hairon ( French héron ) < Germanic; compare Old High German heigir

Example Sentences

Just then a great blue heron flew overhead.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than a hundred bird species, including ducks, geese, terns, ibis, herons, eagles and vultures, had been recorded in the area, alongside monkeys and small mammals.

From Barron's

Moorhens, ducks, and herons were walking, flapping, swimming, some trailed by their young.

From Literature

I never had a better feeling in my life—as if I was a mighty blue heron spreading my wings.

From Literature

A great blue heron balanced on a dock and watched me; a cormorant eyed me curiously.

From Los Angeles Times