turaco

noun

tu·​ra·​co ˈtu̇r-ə-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce turaco (audio)
variants or touraco
plural turacos
: any of a family (Musophagidae) of typically crested African birds that are related to the cuckoos and have a long tail, a short stout often colored bill, and red wing feathers

Examples of turaco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The local community runs informative hikes around the wetlands, which contain eight primate species, including grey-cheeked mangabey and red colobus, endemic only to this region, along with 200 bird species, such as the great blue turaco. Kate Lewis, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 The placement of the Gitenga mask in the center of the gallery allows viewers to see the vibrant turaco feathers radiating from the mask. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1743, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of turaco was in 1743

Dictionary Entries Near turaco

Cite this Entry

“Turaco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turaco. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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