cassowary

noun

cas·​so·​wary ˈka-sə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce cassowary (audio)
plural cassowaries
: any of a genus (Casuarius) of large ratite birds chiefly of New Guinea and northern Australia that have a horny casque on the head and are closely related to the emu

Examples of cassowary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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There are three species of these velociraptor-like birds–the southern cassowary, northern cassowary, and dwarf cassowary. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2024 Ancient humans may have reared deadly birds 18,000 years ago Often called modern-day dinosaurs, cassowaries are one of only a few birds known to have killed humans. Big Think, 24 June 2024 In 2019, a man in Florida was killed by his pet cassowary. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2024 In the cassowary’s world, males are tasked with child-rearing responsibilities. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cassowary 

Word History

Etymology

Malay kĕsuari, from an Austronesian language of the Moluccas

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cassowary was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near cassowary

Cite this Entry

“Cassowary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cassowary. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cassowary

noun
cas·​so·​wary ˈkas-ə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce cassowary (audio)
plural cassowaries
: any of several tall swift-running birds of New Guinea and Australia that are closely related to the emu

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