pelican

[US]/'pelɪk(ə)n/
[UK]/'pɛlɪkən/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a large waterbird with a long bill and a distensible pouch for catching fish, also known as a pelican.

Example Sentences

American white pelican

The Umbrella Mouth Gulper Eel (Eurypharynx Pelecanoides) can open its “Umbrella Mouth” to Pelican-like proportion, accommodating prey much larger than its size.

The pelican gracefully soared through the sky.

A group of pelicans gathered by the water's edge.

The fisherman watched as the pelican dove into the water to catch its prey.

The pelican's pouch can hold large quantities of fish.

Tourists enjoyed watching the pelicans at the beach.

The pelican is known for its distinctive beak and large wingspan.

The pelican's feathers are waterproof to help them stay dry while swimming.

The pelican colony nested on the rocky cliffs near the ocean.

Local fishermen sometimes use pelicans to help catch fish.

Children giggled as they watched the pelican clumsily waddle on the sand.

Real-world Examples

He said he never saw brown pelicans as a child in the 1960s.

Source: VOA Special August 2022 Collection

But the national park is best known for the giant Dalmatian pelicans on Pelican Island.

Source: VOA Special English: World

For many years, scientists have worked to bring the pelicans back from totally dying off.

Source: VOA Special August 2022 Collection

" We have freed the island of the fishermen who disturbed the pelicans, " he said.

Source: VOA Special English: World

Have you seen the new film in the Pelican series?

Source: BBC Authentic English

Ripped pouches for pelicans we see a lot with fish carcasses.

Source: VOA Standard English_Americas

Louisiana is called the Pelican State, due to the many pelicans that live along its coast.

Source: Children's Learning Classroom

But intensive fishing has still " reduced the number of fish the pelicans eat, " he explained.

Source: VOA Special English: World

What? I finished reading The Pelican Brief And loved it so much, I dived right into the client.

Source: The Big Bang Theory Season 3

But the future for pelicans is uncertain in the barrier islands.

Source: VOA Special August 2022 Collection

Popular Words

Explore frequently searched vocabulary

Download App to Unlock Full Content

Want to learn vocabulary more efficiently? Download the DictoGo app and enjoy more vocabulary memorization and review features!

Download DictoGo Now