pelican
23
2.4
- noun
- /ˈpɛlɪkən/
:
pelícano
- The sun was sinking; flocks of pelicans began to fly inland, one after the other.
- white pelicans
- brown pelican
James's Park is the one that has Pelicans and parrots in it?
- James's Park is the one that has Pelicans and parrots in it?
Examples
-
The white pelicans were working the swamp in tight formations, minding only their own business.
Academic text (2004) -
Others, such as a pelican, a swan, and a giant raven, were perfectly capable of flying.
Academic text (1990) -
Where can I find a pelican in Turin?
-
How about a rare pelican migration out by the marshes?
-
What I wish we had is pelicans instead of seagulls.
-
As I near the pelicans, I hear Idrissa call my name.
Fiction book (1997) -
Turning my head, I saw three pelicans streak by in close formation and disappear into the fog.
Fiction book (1995) -
Outside of Cedar Key, there are white pelicans that hunt differently than the diving brown ones.
Blog text (34) -
Thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and a rich array of rare birds flock into the sanctuary.
Academic text (2006) -
The pelican uses its large bill to scoop up fish while swimming in the ocean.
Synonyms
A group of large water birds with long beaks and a throat pouch
Compounds
A large white water bird with a long beak that catches fish in Europe, Asia, and Africa, often in groups
A nickname for the United States state of Louisiana because the brown pelican is its state bird
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pelican comes from the Greek word pelekan meaning 'axe', because the bird's long bill looks a little like an axe blade. That's why a pelican today is known as a large seabird with a long bill and a big throat pouch for catching fish.