waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfau̇(-ə)l 
ˈwä-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that frequents water
especially
: a swimming game bird (such as a duck or goose) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird
Examples of waterfowl in a Sentence
The lake is a refuge for migrating waterfowl.
Recent Examples on the Web
Center officials bought the property in 2019, and plans call for ground to be broken in September on the first phase of a $3 million waterfowl and aquatic-mammal facility that will house 20 runs with indoor pools and 10 animal wards.
—
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025
Biologists estimate that prior to the canal, about 12,500 ducks would winter along the river, as the annual flooding both allowed for wild millet, a favorite food for many species of wild duck, and offered prime habitat for both migrating and resident waterfowl.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Bird flu kills thousands of Indiana waterfowl The disease has also been found in wild birds in the state.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 28 Feb. 2025
Dogs like the German wire-haired pointer are great at hunting for quarry, while spaniels are better at flushing birds and waterfowl.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waterfowl
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Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 29 July 2025
Biologists estimate that prior to the canal, about 12,500 ducks would winter along the river, as the annual flooding both allowed for wild millet, a favorite food for many species of wild duck, and offered prime habitat for both migrating and resident waterfowl.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Bird flu kills thousands of Indiana waterfowl The disease has also been found in wild birds in the state.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 28 Feb. 2025
Dogs like the German wire-haired pointer are great at hunting for quarry, while spaniels are better at flushing birds and waterfowl.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for waterfowl
Cite this Entry
“Waterfowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterfowl. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
waterfowl
noun
wa·ter·fowl
ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfau̇l
ˈwät-
plural waterfowl also waterfowls
: a bird that is found in or near water
especially
: a swimming bird (as a duck or goose) often hunted as game
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