pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpe-li-kən 

: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch

Examples of pelican in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Colorful eels, octopuses, swell sharks, snowy plovers, lobsters, horn sharks, poppy flowers, pelicans, Western gulls, and cormorants are many of the creatures popping from the wall’s canvas. —Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 8 Oct. 2024

The fifth painting was on a fish bar and depicted two pelicans eating fish, one of which came from the store’s logo. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2024

So, there's these vultures, there's these pelicans. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2023

However, pelicans will try to avoid humans as much as possible. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English pellican, from Late Latin pelecanus, from Greek pelekan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pelican

• brown pelican
• pelican crossing

Kids Definition

pelican

noun

pel·​i·​can ˈpel-i-kən 

: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food