herring gull

noun

1. a common, large gull, Larus argentatus, of the Northern Hemisphere.

herring gull

noun

1. a common gull, Larus argentatus, that has a white plumage with black-tipped wings and pink legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of herring gull¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

The largest number expected to be killed are kittiwakes followed by gannets and herring gulls.

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Gulls are in trouble in their natural spaces - and some species, such as herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls are seeking refuge in coastal cities.

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The herring gull was already on the list.

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Five other seabirds were already on the list - the puffin, kittiwake, herring gull, roseate tern and arctic skua.

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The study found that more than 51,000 pairs of herring gulls nesting at natural sites - rather than towns and cities - were lost during the reporting period, accounting for a 41% fall in the population.

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