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Glite Dictionary
tubenose

tubenose

9.0
A seabird like an albatross or petrel with tube-like nostrils that lives at sea
  • noun
  • /ˈtjuːbənˌoʊz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pájaro tubenoso
  • During migration, tubenoses often travel thousands of miles across open water.

Examples

  • Did you see the tubenose flying near the cliffs?

  • Many species of tubenose are threatened by plastic pollution in the sea.

  • The tubenose glided effortlessly above the waves, searching for food far from land.

  • Scientists study the migration patterns of the tubenose to understand ocean currents.

  • The tubenose glided gracefully over the ocean waves.

  • The tubenose seabird has unique nostrils that help it find food while flying over the ocean.

  • Many tubenose species, like albatrosses, are known for their long-distance flying abilities.

Synonyms

petrel
vstubenose
1 9.6

A small sea bird with long wings that flies far from land

is a broader sea-adapted group that includes such smaller long-winged types
procellariiform seabird
vstubenose
  • Specialized
9.9

A large sea bird with long wings, tube nostrils, and a hooked bill that travels the open ocean

is the common sea-adapted name for these birds rather than the formal order name

Surface Forms

tubenose singular
tubenoses plural

Morphology

tubenose = tube + nose (transparent) = tube + nose

Meaning is directly the literal combination 'tube' + 'nose' describing a bird with tube-like nostrils.

Etymology

Tubenose comes from the words tube and nose, meaning 'tube-like nose'. These seabirds, such as albatrosses and petrels, have tube-shaped nostrils like a straw that help them smell and breathe at sea, so the name points to their special nose.