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: 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
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
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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
Phrases Containing owl
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
Nglish: Translation of owl for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of owl for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about owl
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