noun Uncommon

pelican

PEHL-ih-kuhn

Pelican (noun) means a large water bird with a long bill and a stretchy throat pouch used for catching fish. Example: “A pelican dove into the harbor and came up with a fish in its pouch.”

noun

A large water bird with a long bill and a stretchy throat pouch used for catching fish.

"A pelican dove into the harbor and came up with a fish in its pouch."

"Pelicans often fly in a line low over the waves."

How to use pelican

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA large seabird known for the pouch under its long bill.

Common pairings

pelican pouch flock of pelicans

Word forms

pelicans plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “pelican” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ dove into the harbor and came up with a fish in its pouch.

Etymology

From Greek pelekan, related to pelekus ("hatchet"), possibly describing the shape of its bill.

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for pelican

Mexican African Vatican American Corsican Jamaican Anglican Dominican republican

See all rhymes for pelican →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pelican” mean?

The word “pelican” means a large water bird with a long bill and a stretchy throat pouch used for catching fish. In plain terms, a large seabird known for the pouch under its long bill.

How do you pronounce “pelican”?

“Pelican” is pronounced PEHL-ih-kuhn (/ˈpɛl.ɪ.kən/ in IPA).

How do you use “pelican” in a sentence?

Here is “pelican” used in a sentence: “A pelican dove into the harbor and came up with a fish in its pouch.”

What part of speech is “pelican”?

“Pelican” is a noun.

Where does the word “pelican” come from?

The word “pelican” comes from Greek. From Greek pelekan, related to pelekus ("hatchet"), possibly describing the shape of its bill.

Is “pelican” a common word?

“Pelican” is an uncommon word in modern English.