peafowl
noun
pea·fowl
| \ ˈpē-ˌfau̇(-ə)l
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Definition of peafowl
: any of three very large terrestrial pheasants (Pavo cristatus and P. muticus of southeastern Asia and Afropavo congensis of central Africa) often raised as ornamental fowls due to their usually colorful, iridescent plumage and especially for the long, trailing tail coverts of the male which can be held more or less erect and outspread — see also peacock, peahen
Illustration of peafowl
peafowl: A female (peahen); B male (peacock)
Examples of peafowl in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Arboretum is a wildlife sanctuary, so expect to see migratory birds and other species—including their famous peafowl. — Lisa Beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "15 Places to Get Your Outdoor Yoga Fix in L.A.," 22 May 2018 The area’s most renowned peafowl have roamed for decades in Winter Park, particularly near the former estate of the late Hugh and Jeanette Genius McKean, just south of Fairbanks Avenue between lakes Virginia and Mizell. — Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Casselberry protects some of its most colorful residents — peacocks," 26 Dec. 2017 Residents, however, became concerned this year after noticing fewer peafowl near their usual roaming areas around Casselberry’s chain of lakes. — Martin E. Comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Casselberry protects some of its most colorful residents — peacocks," 26 Dec. 2017 The Miami Herald reports that residents of one part of Coral Gables have gotten into verbal arguments and fistfights over the peafowl, which are loud, destructive and aggressive — not to mention they poop everywhere. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Peacocks: Pretty plumage but prodigious piles of poop," 1 May 2017 Residents have suggested feeding a contraceptive called Ovo Control P to peafowl. — Linda Robertson, miamiherald, "Peacock hatred has come to this: Shooting them out of trees in Coconut Grove," 14 June 2017 Some people love the peafowl and feed them — which also stretches some neighbors' nerves to the breaking point. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Peacocks: Pretty plumage but prodigious piles of poop," 1 May 2017 Every day, Campbell herds the peafowl away from her house with a large palm frond. — Linda Robertson, miamiherald, "Proliferating, pooping peacocks no longer so beautiful to behold," 27 Apr. 2017 Dakin and Montgomerie have now found similar results in two peafowl populations in Canada and one in the United States. — Susan Milius, WIRED, "Male Peacock Feathers May Have Lost Their Sexy," 27 Apr. 2011These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'peafowl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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