waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 

ˈwä-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that frequents water

especially : a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird

Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence

The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.

Recent Examples on the Web

The dense, swampy vegetation, listed by Kenya as a Wetland of International Importance, is an ideal habitat for waterfowl. —Alexandra Owens, AFAR Media, 10 Feb. 2025

This reflects the fact that there is so much H5N1 in migrating waterfowl. —Alice Park, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025

But similar concerns around PFAS and other environmental contaminants in migratory waterfowl exist in other flyways as well. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025

The year before that, a waterfowl hunter found skeletal human remains while hunting in Lake County, Indiana. —Stephen Smith, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

waterfowl

noun

wa·​ter·​fowl ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l 

ˈwät-

plural waterfowl also waterfowls

: a bird that is found in or near water

especially : a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game