noun
spoonbill
SPOON-bil
Spoonbill (noun) means a large, long-legged wading bird with a flat, spoon-shaped bill. Example: “A spoonbill waded through the shallows, sweeping its bill side to side.”
noun
1
A large, long-legged wading bird with a flat, spoon-shaped bill.
"A spoonbill waded through the shallows, sweeping its bill side to side."
"The reserve is home to a small breeding colony of spoonbills."
"We watched a spoonbill feeding at the edge of the lagoon."
2
US A large North American fish with a long, flattened snout, also called a paddlefish.
"Anglers on the river occasionally catch a spoonbill of impressive size."
"The spoonbill's long, paddle-shaped snout makes it easy to identify in the water."
How to use spoonbill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt usually means a wading bird with a spoon-shaped beak, or in America, a paddlefish.
When to use it
The fish sense is chiefly used in American English.
Memory tip
Picture the bird sweeping its spoon-shaped bill through water to fix the meaning in mind.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
feeding spoonbill
spoonbill colony
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Fill the gap
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A _____ waded through the shallows, sweeping its bill side to side.
Etymology
The name simply joins spoon and bill, describing the bird's flat, spoon-shaped beak.
Synonyms
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paddlefish
Frequently asked questions
What is a spoonbill?
It is usually a wading bird with a flat, spoon-shaped bill, though in the United States the name is also used for a fish known as the paddlefish.
Why is it called a spoonbill?
It gets its name from the shape of its bill, which is broad and flat like a spoon.
Is a spoonbill the same as a paddlefish?
In American usage, spoonbill is another name for the paddlefish, a large fish with a long flattened snout.
What is the meaning of spoonbill?
"spoonbill" (noun) means a large, long-legged wading bird with a flat, spoon-shaped bill.
