osprey

American  

[os-pree] / ˈɒs pri /

noun

• ospreys
  plural

1. Also called fish hawk. a large hawk, Pandion haliaetus, that feeds on fish.

2. a plume for trimming hats.

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osprey British  

/ ˈɒsprɪ, -preɪ /

noun

1. Often called (US and Canadian): fish hawk. a large broad-winged fish-eating diurnal bird of prey, Pandion haliaetus, with a dark back and whitish head and underparts: family Pandioridae

2. any of the feathers of various other birds, used esp as trimming for hats

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ospreys
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of osprey

1425–75; late Middle English ospray ( e ) ≪ Latin ossifraga ossifrage; compare Middle French orfraie, offraie, Old French ospres

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Explanation

An osprey is a large bird of prey that feeds on fish. If you see a huge bird dive into the water feet-first and emerge with a fish in its talons, it's probably an osprey. Osprey is derived from the Medieval Latin phrase avis prede, "bird of prey." These stunning raptors are found on every continent except Antarctica, and scientists estimate the species is at least 11 million years old. Ospreys are among the animals that usually mate for life, with pairs building their nests on poles or trees beside a body of water, and returning there year after year.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

osprey ospreys

The reserve has an osprey platform to attract the raptors and the adults who have nested there are also believed to be first-time parents.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

A record number of osprey chicks have delighted birdwatchers at a nature reserve.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Vanessa Coolidge, 40, said she’s worried about osprey nests that would need to be relocated for the work, but doesn’t believe anyone is listening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026

They, too, were greatly affected by DDT, with the number of osprey nests falling to about 50 five decades ago.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

His black hair was streaked with gray, his jaw jutted strongly, and his osprey dæmon sat glaring on his fist.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

The first of four juvenile ospreys, hatched as the result of a reintroduction programme in Dorset, has taken flight.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Several new ospreys chicks have hatched in north Wales over the past fortnight, conservationists have announced.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

They hatched four chicks in 2024 and another four in 2025 and are the first ospreys to breed on England's south coast in 180 years.

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

Birds of Poole Harbour previously said laying four eggs for a third year in a row was "quite a rare occurrence in ospreys".

From BBC ● May 23, 2026

In Montana, ospreys lived in the cottonwoods all along the big rivers, where they dived on trout and whitefish.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

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