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

Migratory waterfowl are typically the source of the virus for farm birds, Derrer Spears said. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025

People who are most at risk of being infected by bird flu are those who work with poultry, waterfowl, and dairy cows, according to Cleveland Clinic. —Shahid Meighan, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

The Crown Hill Bird Sanctuary will be closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect waterfowl and other wildlife. —John Meyer, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025

If the sago pondweed is decimated on the Southern migration, there’s nothing left for them, or other waterfowl, to eat on the spring migration. —Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for waterfowl

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl

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