elephant bird

noun

: any of a group (genus Aepyornis or order Aepyornithiformes) of gigantic flightless ratite birds known only from remains found in Madagascar

Examples of elephant bird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But elephant birds, who lived more than 1,200 years ago, were likely the biggest birds to ever exist at over 1,500 pounds. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 June 2024 Few creatures capture the imagination quite like the elephant bird. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023 As settlers expanded their footprint into Madagascar, the elephant bird's habitat began to shrink. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023 The team set out to collect elephant bird eggshells in 2006 from the southern half of Madagascar. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for elephant bird 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elephant bird was circa 1889

Dictionary Entries Near elephant bird

Cite this Entry

“Elephant bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20bird. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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