1 eider | Definition of eider
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

eider

noun
ei·​der | \ ˈī-dÉ™r How to pronounce eider (audio) \

Definition of eider

1 : any of several large northern sea ducks (genera Somateria and Polystica) having fine soft down that is used by the female for lining the nest

— called also eider duck

2 : eiderdown sense 1
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about eider

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

There are several species of large diving ducks called eiders. They are heavy and round-bodied, with a humped bill that produces a characteristic sloping profile. Eiders live in the cold far north. They are the source of eiderdown, feathers that the hen plucks from her breast to line her nest and insulate her eggs. Eiderdown is used as a warm filling for jackets, pillows, quilts, and sleeping bags. Hens are mottled brown, but drakes (males) are boldly patterned, with green pigment on the head.

Examples of eider in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Lewis reports that researchers documented Arctic loons taking care of an eider duck in the 1970s. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Empty Nester Loons Adopt a Mallard Chick in Northern Wisconsin," 27 July 2019 Westport: Birders spotted a royal tern and a king eider. — BostonGlobe.com, "Bird sightings across the region," 16 June 2019 Out on the water, scoters, eiders, ducks, and various species of shorebirds are in almost constant view. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "Some words on birds and their impact on Alaska and the rest of the world," 24 June 2018 In winter, tens of thousands of the threatened Steller's eider sea ducks stay in Izembek and molt. — Author: Juliet Eilperin, Anchorage Daily News, "Interior Department strikes deal with Alaska village for road through national wildlife refuge," 6 Jan. 2018 Their squids struggle to free themselves from jaws of king eider drakes. — Christopher Borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "World Taxidermy Championships: Meet the barking, swimming, flying dead," 26 May 2017 But that hasn't been good news for some of their prey, including other vulnerable birds, such as eiders. — Brian Clark Howard, National Geographic, "Watch a Photographer Rescue an Eagle From Thick Mud," 11 Aug. 2016 For example, pilot-biologists discovered the wintering grounds of Spectacled eiders, an Arctic sea duck, after a swift decline based upon aerial survey data. — Kristen A. Schmitt, Smithsonian, "This Biologist Defies Gravity (and Glass Ceilings) to Document the Effects of Climate Change," 16 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eider.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of eider

1743, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for eider

Dutch, German, or Swedish, from Icelandic æthur, from Old Norse æthr

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for eider

eider

noun
ei·​der | \ ˈī-dÉ™r How to pronounce eider (audio) \

Kids Definition of eider

: a large duck of northern seas with very soft down

More from Merriam-Webster on eider

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with eider

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eider

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!