lapwing
Americannoun
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a large Old World plover, Vanellus vanellus, having a long, slender, upcurved crest, an erratic, flapping flight, and a shrill cry.
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any of several similar, related plovers.
noun
Etymology
Origin of lapwing
before 1050; Middle English, variant (by association with wing ) of lapwinke, Old English hlēapwince plover. See leap, wink 1
Vocabulary lists containing lapwing
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.
The barges were filled and covered with sediment to create a new island for birds including endangered dunlin, curlew, ringed plover and lapwing.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2026
Farmer Victor Thompson allowed birdwatchers on to his land at High Newton-by-the-Sea when the lapwing then landed at his farm.
From BBC ● May 2, 2023
It has the highest breeding densities of northern lapwing and redshank in the world.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 6, 2020
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
Low and plaintive comes the notes of a lapwing; the same notes, but tender with love.
From The Hills and the Vale by Jefferies, Richard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
