woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er ˈwu̇d-ˌpe-kər 

: any of numerous birds (family Picidae) with zygodactyl feet, stiff spiny tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a usually extensible tongue, a very hard bill used to drill the bark or wood of trees for insect food or to excavate nesting cavities, and generally showy parti-colored plumage

Illustration of woodpecker

Examples of woodpecker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His taxidermy even included the odd woodpecker, parrot, and penguin. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025

During a trip, participants have the opportunity to spot endemic birds spanning from the Puerto Rican emerald—a tiny hummingbird—to the Puerto Rican woodpecker, an eye-catching species that’s accented with a bright streak of red along its stomach and throat. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Watch for woodpeckers, foxes, and huemul (South Andean deer) along the way. —Hillary Richard, AFAR Media, 24 Mar. 2025

One of the most popular activities has been the annual Hoot, Howl and Prowl Halloween event where people dress in costumes, many as animals, and share stories about rattlesnakes and woodpeckers at the reserve on the Saturday evening before Halloween. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing woodpecker

• acorn woodpecker
• downy woodpecker
• hairy woodpecker
• ivory-billed woodpecker
• pileated woodpecker
• red-bellied woodpecker
• red-cockaded woodpecker

Rhymes for woodpecker

• exchequer
• checker
• chequer
• decker
• wrecker

Kids Definition

woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er -ˌpek-ər 

: any of numerous brightly marked birds with strong claws and stiff tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a long flexible tongue, and a very hard bill used to drill into trees to get insects for food and to dig out holes for nesting