peafowl

American  

[pee-foul] / ˈpiˌfaʊl /

noun

plural

peafowls,

plural

peafowl

1. any of several gallinaceous birds of the genera Pavo, of India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the East Indies, and Afropavo, of Africa.

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peafowl British  

/ ˈpiːˌfaʊl /

noun

1. either of two large pheasants, Pavo cristatus ( blue peafowl ) of India and Ceylon and P. muticus ( green peafowl ) of SE Asia. The males (peacocks) have a characteristic bright plumage See peacock

2. a rare closely related African species, Afropavo congensis ( Congo peafowl ), both sexes of which are brightly coloured

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Etymology

Origin of peafowl

First recorded in 1795–1805; pea ( peacock ) + fowl

Example Sentences

As of the city’s 2025 peafowl census, there were 216 of the birds across six neighborhoods, up from 165 last year — a 31% increase.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

Wild peafowl can live as long as 25 years.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

In the affluent village of Pinecrest, the peafowl found larger lots with plenty of greenery that were far more to their liking.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2023

Nearly 100 peafowl walk freely around the zoo’s grounds.

From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2023

I looked up as I ran under some trees, other­wise peafowl might excrete on me.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel