osprey
Americannoun
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Also called fish hawk. a large hawk, Pandion haliaetus, that feeds on fish.
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a plume for trimming hats.
noun
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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
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any of the feathers of various other birds, used esp as trimming for hats
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of osprey
1425–75; late Middle English ospray ( e ) ≪ Latin ossifraga ossifrage; compare Middle French orfraie, offraie, Old French ospres
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.
Vocabulary lists containing osprey
National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 3
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Birds, Birds, Birds, List 2
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for May 11–May 17, 2025
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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.
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
Wildlife already appears on banknotes in the UK, with mackerel, otters, red squirrels and osprey featuring on notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
A reintroduction scheme, overseen by the charity, began in 2017, when osprey chicks were brought to Dorset from Scotland and released.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
The proposed rule to delist the bald eagle as endangered includes the osprey, which was considered threatened, as well.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024
The osprey had moved without Lee’s noticing between him and Grumman, defending her man, but Lee wasn’t going to attack.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
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.
