kingfisher

noun
king·​fish·​er | \ ˈkiŋ-ˌfi-shər How to pronounce kingfisher (audio) \

Definition of kingfisher

: any of numerous nonpasserine birds (family Alcedinidae) that are usually crested and bright-colored with a short tail and a long stout sharp bill

Examples of kingfisher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pools beavers make are too shallow for diving predators like mergansers and kingfishers and bigger fish. Starre Vartan, National Geographic, "Beavers on the coast are helping salmon bounce back. Here’s how.," 13 Aug. 2019 The smaller stacks resulting from this Paterson-Zwick construction resemble kingfishers to my eyes. Quanta Magazine, "Solution: ‘Hanging Far Out Over the Edge’," 2 Dec. 2016 Given that the birds number only 140 or so worldwide, every kingfisher counts. Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "This Royally Adorable Baby Kingfisher Perpetuates a Species Extinct in the Wild," 1 June 2018 Dozens of other bird species call the park home year round, including night herons, great white egrets, kingfishers and the delta’s year-round resident flock of greater flamingos. Smithsonian, "Explore Catalonia’s Most Beautiful Nature Parks," 15 June 2018 There were the usual citizens of kingfishers, turtles, limpkins, herons, big fish and others. Kevin Spear, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Wekiva and Rock Springs Run cure stress with gorgeous gators and hypnotic rain," 1 June 2018 Birds include plain chachalacas, ringed kingfishers and green jays, and rarities such as blue buntings and roadside hawks. Houston Chronicle, "Top birding spots around Texas," 10 May 2018 Alligators may lounge on the shoreline and dozens of birds pass by from kingfishers to osprey. Richard Tribou, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's DeSoto County: Taming the Peace River," 6 May 2018 Trails offer visitors passage into forests of sabal palms and live oaks draped in Spanish moss, ponds busy with herons, kingfishers and waterfowl, and riparian wetlands skirting the banks of the Rio Grande. James F. Mccarty, cleveland.com, "Eco-tourists enjoy Rio Grande Valley as threat of a border wall threatens habitat," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kingfisher.' 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 kingfisher

1611, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for kingfisher

kingfisher

noun

English Language Learners Definition of kingfisher

: a type of brightly colored bird that has a long, thin bill and that catches fish by diving into water

kingfisher

noun
king·​fish·​er | \ ˈkiŋ-ˌfi-shər How to pronounce kingfisher (audio) \

Kids Definition of kingfisher

: a crested bird with a short tail, long sharp bill, and bright feathers

Keep scrolling for more