peafowl

noun

pea·​fowl ˈpē-ˌfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce peafowl (audio)
: any of three very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus and P. muticus of southeastern Asia and Afropavo congensis of central Africa) often raised as ornamental fowls due to their usually colorful, iridescent plumage and especially for the long, trailing tail coverts of the male which can be held more or less erect and outspread see also peacock, peahen

Illustration of peafowl

Illustration of peafowl
  • A female (peahen)
  • B male (peacock)

Examples of peafowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Peafowl is the common name for two bird species that belong to the genus Pavo: blue or Indian peafowl, which are originally from the Indian subcontinent and green peafowl, which are native to Southeast Asia. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024 The birds are commonly known as peacocks, though the females are technically peahens, and both are peafowl. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Peacock feathers through eyes of four different animals: (a) a peafowl; (b) humans; (c) honeybees; and (d) dogs. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2024 Controlling the peafowl overpopulation has been a challenge. Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for peafowl 

Word History

Etymology

pea- (as in peacock) + fowl

First Known Use

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peafowl was circa 1790

Dictionary Entries Near peafowl

Cite this Entry

“Peafowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peafowl. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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