redshank

American

[red-shangk] / ˈrɛdˌʃæŋk /

noun

an Old World sandpiper, Tringa totanus, having red legs and feet.

redshank British

/ ˈrɛdˌʃæŋk /

noun

either of two large common European sandpipers, Tringa totanus or T. erythropus ( spotted redshank ), having red legs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of redshank

First recorded in 1515–25; red ¹ + shank

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 site is home to bird species including bearded tit, avocet, redshank and lapwing.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

She said muddy edges around the waterways were ideal for insects and molluscs, which "will provide a feast" for wading birds like lapwings, redshank and snipe.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

The authority said seven key species - the adonis blue butterfly, skylark, redshank, yellow horned poppy, ringed plover, bee orchid and wigeon - were "indicators of biodiversity and landscape quality".

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2021

It has the highest breeding densities of northern lapwing and redshank in the world.

From The Guardian • Mar. 6, 2020

The heron, the snakebird, and the redshank, waded through the shallow drifts; and geese, widgeon, teal, and mallard, rose whirring in the air at every step.

From The Highlands of Ethiopia by Harris, William Cornwallis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023