pelican
noun
pel·i·can
ˈpe-li-kən 
: any of a genus (Pelecanus) of large web-footed fish-eating birds with a very large bill and distensible gular pouch
Examples of pelican in a Sentence
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If his iron pincers didn’t work, the preferred tool was a pelican: a fearsome-looking device with two hooks to grasp a molar and a lever to wrench it out.
—
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
It will be followed by birding and animal spotting across wadis, mangroves and desert highlands, with targets including pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, hamadryas baboons and gazelles.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025
Casual beachgoers might see more than just seagulls and pelicans soaring through the sky this weekend.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Isabella Delgado sports a T-shirt that features a pelican.
—EW.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelican
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Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
It will be followed by birding and animal spotting across wadis, mangroves and desert highlands, with targets including pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, hamadryas baboons and gazelles.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025
Casual beachgoers might see more than just seagulls and pelicans soaring through the sky this weekend.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Isabella Delgado sports a T-shirt that features a pelican.
—EW.com, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pelican
Cite this Entry
“Pelican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pelican. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pelican
noun
pel·i·can
ˈpel-i-kən
: any of a genus of large web-footed birds with a very large bill having a pouch on the lower part used to scoop in fish for food
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