owl

noun

ˈau̇(-ə)l 

: any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Snowy owls are listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern by the . —Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

This 364-piece kit includes three Harry Potter minifigures, multiple owl toys, and more decorative elements for the castle. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

According to state police, the owl was taken in by local wildlife rehabilitators who responded to the scene. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Nov. 2024

The octopus, the elephant, the great horned owl, the house cat, the giant tortoise, the chimpanzee: who, in all the vast animal kingdom, joins us in having intimations of mortality? —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing owl

• barn owl
• barred owl
• burrowing owl
• elf owl
• great horned owl
• horned owl
• night owl
• northern spotted owl
• owl monkey
• saw-whet owl
• screech owl
• short-eared owl
• snowy owl
• spotted owl

Kids Definition

owl

noun

ˈau̇(ə)l 

: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws