poultry

noun

poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
Synonyms of poultrynext
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

Examples of poultry in a Sentence

This wine goes well with poultry.
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.
The agriculture department says that wild birds, particularly migrating waterfowl, are the primary source of virus spread to domestic poultry and other birds. Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026 Meals center real protein sources like poultry, beef, and fish rather than relying primarily on protein powders. Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026 The bird flu outbreak strain, H5N1, which started among poultry flocks and wild birds in Europe in the fall of 2020 before moving to the United States, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, has become the nation's largest such outbreak. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 However, eating skin-on poultry and bone-in meat can also provide collagen. Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poultry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pultrie, from Anglo-French pulletrie, from pulleter poulterer, from pullet chicken — more at pullet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poultry was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poultry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poultry. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

poultry

noun
poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat
Etymology

Middle English pultrie "fowl raised for food," from early French pulletrie (same meaning), from pulleter "one who raises poultry," from pullet "chicken" — related to pullet

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