English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

woodpecker

WUUD-peh-kuh

Woodpecker (noun) means a bird with a strong, pointed beak that it uses to peck holes in tree trunks, searching for insects or making a nest. Example: “We could hear a woodpecker drumming on a hollow tree in the distance.”

noun
1
A bird with a strong, pointed beak that it uses to peck holes in tree trunks, searching for insects or making a nest.
"We could hear a woodpecker drumming on a hollow tree in the distance."

How to use woodpecker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tree-dwelling bird famous for hammering its beak into wood, both to find food and to signal or nest.

Word forms

woodpeckers plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “woodpecker” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We could hear a _____ drumming on a hollow tree in the distance.

Etymology

A compound of "wood" and "pecker," describing its habit of pecking into wood.

speight spight

Rhymes for woodpecker

See all rhymes for woodpecker →

Frequently asked questions

What does “woodpecker” mean?

The word “woodpecker” means a bird with a strong, pointed beak that it uses to peck holes in tree trunks, searching for insects or making a nest. In plain terms, a tree-dwelling bird famous for hammering its beak into wood, both to find food and to signal or nest.

How do you pronounce “woodpecker”?

“Woodpecker” is pronounced WUUD-peh-kuh (/ˈwʊdˌpɛkɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “woodpecker” in a sentence?

Here is “woodpecker” used in a sentence: “We could hear a woodpecker drumming on a hollow tree in the distance.”

What is another word for “woodpecker”?

Words with a similar meaning to “woodpecker” include speight and spight.

What part of speech is “woodpecker”?

“Woodpecker” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial