toucan

[too-kan, -kahn, too-kahn]

noun

1. any of several usually brightly colored, fruit-eating birds of the family Ramphastidae, of tropical America, having a very large bill.

2. Astronomy.,  Toucan, the constellation Tucana.

toucan

/ ˈtuːkən /

noun

1. any tropical American arboreal fruit-eating bird of the family Ramphastidae, having a large brightly coloured bill with serrated edges and a bright plumage

Word History and Origins

Origin of toucan¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from French, from Portuguese tucano, from Tupi tucan (imitative of its cry)

Word History and Origins

Origin of toucan¹

C16: from French, from Portuguese tucano, from Tupi tucana, probably imitative of its cry

Example Sentences

She is wearing gold drop earrings and a turquoise dress made from fabric featuring a rainforest of monkeys, toucans and lemurs.

Read more on BBC

In contrast, larger birds such as the Toco toucan or the Curl-crested jay disperse the seeds of trees with a higher carbon storage potential.

Read more on Science Daily

The town lies on a remote stretch of coast covered by dense rainforests that are home to monkeys, toucans and colorful poison dart frogs.

Read more on Seattle Times

The comedian then proceeds to hop ecstatically across the stage with one leg akimbo: “That song was penned with a toucan’s beak dipped in ink while riding a zebra side-saddle.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tourists who flock to see toucans, sloths and brilliantly colored frogs might someday see a charge on their hotel bill to aid forest conservation.

Read more on Seattle Times