pelican

American  

[pel-i-kuhn] / ˈpɛl ɪ kən /

noun

1. any of several large, totipalmate, fish-eating birds of the family Pelecanidae, having a large bill with a distensible pouch.

2. a still or retort with two tubes that leave the body from the neck, curve in opposite directions, and reenter the body through the belly.

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pelican British  

/ ˈpɛlɪkən /

noun

1. any aquatic bird of the tropical and warm water family Pelecanidae, such as P. onocrotalus ( white pelican ): order Pelecaniformes. They have a long straight flattened bill, with a distensible pouch for engulfing fish

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Etymology

Origin of pelican

before 1000; Middle English pellican, Old English < Late Latin pelicānus, variant of pelecān < Greek pelekā́n

Example Sentences

A pelican suspected to have died from H5N1 avian influenza is seen on a beach in Lima, on December 1, 2022.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2024

The California brown pelican was listed as an endangered species decades ago after the spread of the chemical DDT caused the shells of their eggs to thin.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2024

Work to install a signalled pelican crossing started on Saturday, slightly ahead of schedule.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2023

Already, a pelican colony on the Great Salt Lake has floundered after lowering water levels turned its island into a peninsula, giving access to coyotes, Seed said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 7, 2023

He flung his huge pelican wings out to catch himself, but only succeeded in knocking down both Normans, too.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness