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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.

See Examples For:

redshank

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

It was hoped species such as lapwing, redshank and woodcock would find a haven in the wet woodland, while otters and water voles would use the restored network of waterways as corridors and breeding habitat.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 2024

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

"Oh! they are used to that, plase your honour; they'll go on very quite, and I'll run like a redshank with the news to the castle."

From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria

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