whippoorwill

noun

whip·​poor·​will ˈ(h)wi-pər-ˌwil 

ˌ(h)wi-pər-ˈwil

variants or less commonly whip-poor-will

plural whippoorwills also whip-poor-wills

: a nocturnal nightjar (Antrostomus vociferus synonym Caprimulgus vociferus) of chiefly eastern North America with a loud repeated call suggestive of its name

Illustration of whippoorwill

• whip-poor-will

Examples of whippoorwill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a whippoorwill sings overhead, Kalil catches our third and final python—a female, possibly carrying eggs. —Krista Stevens, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024

Nocturnal birds such as owls and whip-poor-wills began to call. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

The Mexican whip-poor-will, which can be found in the southwestern U.S., has a call that sounds like its name. —Alexandra Marvar, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

whip-poor-will

noun

ˈhwip-ər-ˌwil,

ˌhwip-ər-ˈwil,

ˈwip-,

ˌwip-

: an insect-eating bird of the eastern U.S. and Canada that is active at night and has a loud repeated call which sounds like its name