shorebird

noun

shore·​bird ˈshȯr-ˌbərd How to pronounce shorebird (audio)
: any of a suborder (Charadrii) of birds (such as a plover or sandpiper) that frequent the seashore

Examples of shorebird 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.
Not an eclipsed sunrise but flocks of sandpipers and other shorebirds flocking against a reddening dawn sky. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Located in the southernmost reaches of the park, this scenic expanse of marshland is located just a few steps away from the Pacific shoreline, imbuing the area with a diverse array of shorebirds and other beach-dwelling avian species. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 On the other side of the barrier island, maze-like salt marshes and winding tidal creeks funnel into the Intracoastal Waterway, providing the ideal environment to see bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, and abundant shorebirds. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025 During a hike through Robinsons Island, visitors can spot boreal chickadees, red crossbills and yellow warblers flitting along the branches, while the refuge’s many beaches are perfect for spotting shorebirds like the willet and greater yellowlegs. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shorebird

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shorebird was circa 1672

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shorebird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shorebird. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

shorebird

noun
shore·​bird ˈshō(ə)r-ˌbərd How to pronounce shorebird (audio)
ˈshȯ(ə)r-
: any of a group of birds (as a plover or sandpiper) that frequent the seashore
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!