woodpecker

noun

wood·​peck·​er ˈwu̇d-ˌpe-kər How to pronounce woodpecker (audio)
: any of numerous birds (family Picidae) with zygodactyl feet, stiff spiny tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a usually extensible tongue, a very hard bill used to drill the bark or wood of trees for insect food or to excavate nesting cavities, and generally showy parti-colored plumage

Illustration of woodpecker

Illustration of woodpecker

Examples of woodpecker in a Sentence

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.
Suet cakes are one of the best foods for attracting woodpeckers. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026 The aye-aye, in essence, became a woodpecker by primate standards. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 From bluebirds to woodpeckers to hummingbirds, these avian beauties add music and movement to yards and gardens all throughout the South. — Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 18 June 2026 Then, mid-conversation, a woodpecker lands high in a nearby tree and knocks loudly enough to interrupt him, prompting Ford to smile again. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for woodpecker

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woodpecker was circa 1530

Phrases Containing woodpecker

Rhymes for woodpecker

See All Rhymes for woodpecker

Browse Nearby Words

wood pea
woodpecker
wood pewee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Woodpecker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodpecker. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

woodpecker

noun
wood·​peck·​er -ˌpek-ər How to pronounce woodpecker (audio)
: any of numerous brightly marked birds with strong claws and stiff tail feathers used in climbing or resting on tree trunks, a long flexible tongue, and a very hard bill used to drill into trees to get insects for food and to dig out holes for nesting

More from Merriam-Webster on woodpecker

Nglish: Translation of woodpecker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about woodpecker

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