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

Dawn has just broken, pods of pelicans fly overhead, and sea lions bark from the nearby harbor. —Byrd Pinkerton, Vox, 1 Apr. 2025

Great white pelicans were recorded intermittently before 2016 as a vagrant, or transient, species, but a flock of 37 birds was recorded on a lake in February 2016 only to be beaten by a flock of 102 birds in 2021, researchers said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025

Beyond The Sea While manatees hang out in the water and white pelicans circle above—and sport-fishing, kayaking, or boating or sailing to Cayo Costa State Park beckon—visitors and locals flock to the main village of Boca Grande for dining and shopping. —Mary Forgione, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

The group will look for local wildlife, including dolphins and pelicans. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025

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