hammerkop

noun

ham·​mer·​kop
ˈhamə(r)ˌkäp
variants or less commonly hammerkop bird or hammerkop stork
plural -s
: a chiefly dusky brown African wading bird (Scopus umbretta) intermediate in some respects between storks and herons but distinguished by its large head with heavy bill and thick dorsal crest and by its huge domed nest

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans hamerkop, from hamer hammer + kop head

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near hammerkop

Cite this Entry

“Hammerkop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hammerkop. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!