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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA large seabird known for the pouch under its long bill.
Common pairings
pelican pouch
flock of pelicans
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Word forms
- Plural
- pelicans
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.
Rhymes for pelican
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.
