Illustration of tern
: any of various chiefly marine birds (subfamily Sterninae of the family Laridae and especially genus Sterna) that differ from the related gulls in usually smaller size, a more slender build, a sharply pointed bill, narrower wings, and an often forked tail
Examples of tern in a Sentence
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Stoltzfus and his team are deeply involved in protecting the broader Platte River ecosystem, a vital habitat that supports more than 240 species, including terns and bald eagles, year-round.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Located in the wetlands of the San Francisco Bay, the 376-acre Ravenswood preserve is home to wildlife including migrating shorebirds such as dowitchers, American avocets and terns.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The ribbons also help bird-watchers keep track of the white terns, as does an online map.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The most endangered is the New Zealand fairy tern, tara iti, with a population of less than 50, including 10 breeding females.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
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Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Located in the wetlands of the San Francisco Bay, the 376-acre Ravenswood preserve is home to wildlife including migrating shorebirds such as dowitchers, American avocets and terns.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
The ribbons also help bird-watchers keep track of the white terns, as does an online map.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The most endangered is the New Zealand fairy tern, tara iti, with a population of less than 50, including 10 breeding females.
—Tom Page, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tern
Cite this Entry
“Tern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tern. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tern
noun
: any of numerous sea birds that often have a forked tail, black cap, and white or gray body and that in comparison to the related gulls have a smaller and slenderer body and bill and narrower wings
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