gallinule
noun
gal·li·nule
ˈga-lə-ˌnül 
-ˌnyül
: any of several aquatic birds of the rail family with long thin feet and a platelike frontal area on the head: such as
a
: moorhen
b
: one (Porphyrio martinica) found from the southern U.S. to Argentina that is purplish blue with olive-green upperparts, a red and yellow bill, and a light blue frontal area
Examples of gallinule in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dove, woodcock, gallinule, moorhen, rails and snipe are commonly consumed.
—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
At the center of the splash are the gallinule’s adaptive feet.
—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 June 2024
Songbirds love the abundant oak trees at Tree Tops, and birders have recorded 17 species of wood warblers, along with spectacular purple gallinules, which love the marshy wetlands.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2023
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Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
At the center of the splash are the gallinule’s adaptive feet.
—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 June 2024
Songbirds love the abundant oak trees at Tree Tops, and birders have recorded 17 species of wood warblers, along with spectacular purple gallinules, which love the marshy wetlands.
—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Gallinule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gallinule. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gallinule
noun
gal·li·nule
ˈgal-ə-ˌn(y)ü(ə)l
: any of several birds related to the rails that are usually found in or near water
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