pelican Definition
- 1a large waterbird with a long bill and a throat pouch used for catching fish and draining water from the scooped-up contents before swallowing them
- 2a military aircraft used for carrying troops and equipment
Using pelican: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pelican" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The pelican is known for its distinctive throat pouch.
Example
Pelicans are often seen diving into the water to catch fish.
Example
The pelican's bill can hold up to three times more than its stomach.
Example
The military used pelicans to transport troops and supplies during the war.
pelican Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pelican
a species of pelican found in the Americas, characterized by its brown plumage and long bill
Example
The brown pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelicans.
a species of pelican found in parts of North America, characterized by its white plumage and long bill
Example
The white pelican is one of the largest birds in North America.
a type of pedestrian crossing in the UK that is controlled by traffic lights and has a central island for pedestrians to wait on
Example
Be sure to use the pelican crossing to safely cross the busy street.
Origins of pelican
from Old French 'pellican', from Latin 'pelicanus', from Greek 'pelekan'
Summary: pelican in Brief
A 'pelican' [ˈpɛlɪkən] is a large waterbird with a long bill and a throat pouch used for catching fish. It is also a military aircraft used for carrying troops and equipment. The bird is known for its distinctive throat pouch, and its bill can hold up to three times more than its stomach. There are different species of pelicans, such as the brown and white pelican, and a type of pedestrian crossing in the UK is called a 'pelican crossing.'
