noun
beak
beek
noun
1
The hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things.
"The toucan used its enormous beak to reach the fruit."
"A woodpecker's beak is built to withstand constant hammering."
2
Informal British slang for a person's nose, especially a large or pointed one.
"Mind you don't bang that beak of yours on the door frame."
3
British slang for a magistrate or judge.
"He was hauled up in front of the beak for speeding."
How to Use Beak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bird's pointed mouthpart, or (informally) a big nose or a magistrate.
When to use it
The "nose" and "magistrate" senses are informal, mainly British.
Common pairings
a sharp beak
up before the beak
Word Forms
beaked past tense, beaks plural, beaks plural, beaks singular
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The toucan used its enormous _____ to reach the fruit.
Etymology
From Old French bec, ultimately from a Gaulish Celtic word meaning "pointed stick" or "peg."