ferruginous
adjective
fer·ru·gi·nous
fə-ˈrü-jə-nəs 
fe-
1
: of, relating to, or containing iron
a ferruginous soil
2
: resembling iron rust in color
Examples of ferruginous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Look out for the fossils of giant clams and oysters or try to spot the ferruginous hawks and cliff swallows that call it home.
—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Even the hardy saguaro cactus is feeling the effects of heat, which in turn threatens species like the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, which depend on saguaros.
—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
24 Nov. 2025
Unlike many of Arizona's birds, cactus ferruginous pygmy owls do not migrate or fly great distances.
—
Lindsey Botts,
The Arizona Republic,
20 Feb. 2022
Elsewhere in the West, federal officials say the 6-inch cactus ferruginous pygmy owl — which nests in saguaro cacti in Mexico, Arizona and Texas — should be protected under the Endangered Species Act, Michael Doyle reports for E&E news.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2021
Flesch, a biologist at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona, has studied ferruginous pygmy owls, whose short, low flights might be crimped by high border walls.
—
Jeff Wheelwright,
Discover Magazine,
28 Aug. 2014
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Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Even the hardy saguaro cactus is feeling the effects of heat, which in turn threatens species like the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, which depend on saguaros.
—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
24 Nov. 2025
Unlike many of Arizona's birds, cactus ferruginous pygmy owls do not migrate or fly great distances.
—
Lindsey Botts,
The Arizona Republic,
20 Feb. 2022
Elsewhere in the West, federal officials say the 6-inch cactus ferruginous pygmy owl — which nests in saguaro cacti in Mexico, Arizona and Texas — should be protected under the Endangered Species Act, Michael Doyle reports for E&E news.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2021
Flesch, a biologist at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona, has studied ferruginous pygmy owls, whose short, low flights might be crimped by high border walls.
—
Jeff Wheelwright,
Discover Magazine,
28 Aug. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Ferruginous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferruginous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ferruginous
adjective
fer·ru·gi·nous
fə-ˈrü-jə-nəs, fe-
variants
or ferrugineous
1
: of, relating to, or containing iron
2
: resembling iron rust in color
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