osprey

noun

os·​prey ˈä-sprē How to pronounce osprey (audio) -ˌsprā How to pronounce osprey (audio)
plural ospreys
1
: a large fish-eating hawk (Pandion haliaetus) with long wings that is dark brown above and mostly pure white below
2
: a feather trimming used for millinery

Illustration of osprey

Illustration of osprey
  • osprey 1

Examples of osprey 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.
The lawsuit comes amid ongoing efforts by the District of Columbia to restore the Anacostia River to its former vitality, a time when residents fished, boated and wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, cranes, kingfishers and eels flourished along its waters. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Ibis, wood stork, osprey, warblers, and more may be spotted. Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025 The tiny island is home to brown and white pelicans, roseate spoonbills, owls, ospreys, terns, herons, egrets, and other shore birds. Kara Franker, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025 Along the river, look for more birds like kingfishers, osprey, and eagles. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for osprey 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ospray, from Anglo-French *osfraie, from Latin ossifraga, a bird of prey

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of osprey was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near osprey

Cite this Entry

“Osprey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osprey. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

osprey

noun
os·​prey ˈäs-prē How to pronounce osprey (audio) -ˌprā How to pronounce osprey (audio)
plural ospreys
: a large hawk that is dark brown above and mostly white below and that feeds chiefly on fish

called also fish hawk

More from Merriam-Webster on osprey

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