waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 
ˈwä-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that frequents water
especially
: a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird
Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence
The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eggs from backyard flocks that have direct contact with migrating waterfowl might be more concerning, but avian influenza generally hampers egg production and causes most birds to die.
—
Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025
Zoom in: Beyond Western Ohio, reports of dead wild waterfowl throughout the state are presumed to be bird flu, per the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
In response, mitigation measures were implemented—like installing nets over ponds and launching waterfowl protection research, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
5.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
On the first floor of the center are a reception area, an exam room the size of a large closet, an incubator for baby birds, a waterfowl room with a little pool, and a high-tech machine that can test blood samples for the presence of lead.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for waterfowl
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Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025
Zoom in: Beyond Western Ohio, reports of dead wild waterfowl throughout the state are presumed to be bird flu, per the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
In response, mitigation measures were implemented—like installing nets over ponds and launching waterfowl protection research, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
5.
—Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
On the first floor of the center are a reception area, an exam room the size of a large closet, an incubator for baby birds, a waterfowl room with a little pool, and a high-tech machine that can test blood samples for the presence of lead.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for waterfowl
Cite this Entry
“Waterfowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterfowl. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l
ˈwät-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that is found in or near water
especially
: a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game
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