noun
Uncommon
poultry
POLT-ree
Poultry (noun) means Domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, raised for meat or eggs. Example: “The farm keeps poultry alongside a small herd of dairy cows.”
noun
1
Domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, raised for meat or eggs.
"The farm keeps poultry alongside a small herd of dairy cows."
"Poultry prices rose sharply after the bird flu outbreak."
"Free-range poultry wandered across the farmyard, pecking at the grain."
2
The meat from these birds.
"She prefers poultry to red meat for weeknight dinners."
"Make sure the poultry is cooked all the way through before serving."
"The butcher sells fresh poultry, including whole chickens and turkey breasts."
How to use poultry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA general word for farm birds and the meat that comes from them.
Common pairings
poultry farm
raise poultry
poultry industry
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Word forms
- Plural
- poultries
Fill the gap
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The farm keeps _____ alongside a small herd of dairy cows.
Etymology
From Old French pouleterie, from poule ("hen"), ultimately from Latin pullus, "young animal" — the same root that gives us "pullet" and "foal".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for poultry
See all rhymes for poultry →Frequently asked questions
What does “poultry” mean?
The word “poultry” means domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, raised for meat or eggs. In plain terms, a general word for farm birds and the meat that comes from them.
How do you pronounce “poultry”?
“Poultry” is pronounced POLT-ree (/ˈpoʊltɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “poultry” in a sentence?
Here is “poultry” used in a sentence: “The farm keeps poultry alongside a small herd of dairy cows.”
What part of speech is “poultry”?
“Poultry” is a noun.
Where does the word “poultry” come from?
The word “poultry” comes from Latin. From Old French pouleterie, from poule ("hen"), ultimately from Latin pullus, "young animal" — the same root that gives us "pullet" and "foal".
Is “poultry” a common word?
“Poultry” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poultry” have?
“Poultry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys, raised for meat or eggs.
Is poultry singular or plural in grammar?
Poultry is a collective noun that is treated as singular in standard usage, even though it refers to multiple domestic birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. You would say 'poultry is raised on the farm,' not 'poultry are raised.'
What is the difference between poultry and fowl?
Poultry specifically refers to domestic birds like chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys that are raised for meat or eggs, as well as the meat from these birds. Fowl is a broader, often more literary term that can also cover wild birds, so poultry is the narrower, farming-focused word.
Does poultry include fish or other meats?
No, poultry refers only to domestic birds raised for meat or eggs, or the meat that comes from them. Fish, beef, and pork fall under separate categories such as seafood and red meat.
