guinea fowl

noun

: an African bird (Numida meleagris) related to the pheasants, raised for food in many parts of the world, and marked by a bare neck and head and slaty plumage speckled with white
broadly : any of several related birds

Illustration of guinea fowl

Illustration of guinea fowl

Examples of guinea fowl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Backyard poultry include birds such as chicken, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. Jonel Aleccia, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 Backyard poultry include birds like chicken, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 McKean says that the name is thought to have come from the guinea fowl being brought by traders into Europe through the Turkish region. Natalie Escobar, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025 The farm is home to goats, Holstein cows, potbellied and kune kune pigs, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, guinea fowl, guinea pigs, geese, chickens, a Shetland pony, and a Shire horse. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for guinea fowl

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guinea fowl was in 1749

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guinea fowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guinea%20fowl. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

guinea fowl

noun
guin·​ea fowl
ˈgin-ē-
: a gray and white spotted African bird related to the pheasants that has a bare neck and head and is widely raised for food

More from Merriam-Webster on guinea fowl

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster