: 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
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 owl sang a melodic tune for 40 minutes that Álvarez recorded. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 The owl is seen at the window desperately trying to get out of the house as Smithy's neighbor, wearing gloves for safety, opens it to release the bird. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 In 2019, another Georgia family found a live owl nestled in their evergreen — alongside several other owl ornaments. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for owl 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of owl was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near owl

Cite this Entry

“Owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/owl. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

owl

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on owl

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