woodcock
noun
wood·cock
ˈwu̇d-ˌkäk 
plural woodcocks
1
or plural woodcock
a
: a shorebird (Scolopax rusticola) of Europe and Asia that frequents moist woodlands, has large eyes and rounded wings, is of a variously mottled reddish-brown, black, and buff color with a barred chest, and is often hunted as game
Note: The woodcock has a long bill with a sensitive tip used especially for probing the ground for earthworms and insects.
b
: a smaller related bird (Scolopax minor synonym Philohela minor) chiefly of eastern North America with a similar color pattern but having a solid orange buff chest
2
Examples of woodcock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a deep dive on the biodiversity of the refuge, nearby Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is a top spot for scoping out wood ducks and American woodcocks thanks to its verdant marshes, but for a truly unique perspective on the Outer Banks, don’t miss out on Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
—
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The woodcock lies quietly on the sidewalk, paralyzed, its neck snapped in two.
—Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Prior to Sadie, Adkins had used German Shorthair Pointers to hunt pheasants, chukars, grouse, woodcock and quail.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024
Other events throughout the day include kid-friendly Easter stories, live birds of prey, a bluebird box workshop and an American woodcock sky dance.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for woodcock
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.
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
The woodcock lies quietly on the sidewalk, paralyzed, its neck snapped in two.
—Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Prior to Sadie, Adkins had used German Shorthair Pointers to hunt pheasants, chukars, grouse, woodcock and quail.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024
Other events throughout the day include kid-friendly Easter stories, live birds of prey, a bluebird box workshop and an American woodcock sky dance.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for woodcock
Cite this Entry
“Woodcock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodcock. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
woodcock
noun
wood·cock
-ˌkäk
plural woodcocks or woodcock
: a brownish woodland game bird that has a long bill and is related to the snipes
also
: a related and similar bird of Eurasia
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share