: any of an order (Strigiformes) of chiefly nocturnal birds of prey with a large head and eyes, short hooked bill, strong talons, and soft fluffy often brown-mottled plumage
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThis creative owl will give your visitors something to hoot about! Rebecca Shinners, Country Living, 7 Sep. 2022 Those include an ostrich, emus, a peacock, two sandhill cranes, cockatoos, and a Eurasian eagle owl, according to the sanctuary's website. Georgia News, ajc, 23 Aug. 2022 The virus was confirmed in a wild owl that was found dead in Cache County last month. Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 May 2022 And hazing products, products that are meant to discourage animals from from entering the general area, include flight diverters or a plastic owl, and, in some cases, noise machines, McGuire said. Byjulia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 May 2022 The bird is one of the most distinctive roaming the Earth – with an owl-like face, pot belly and lifespan that can reach a whopping 90 years. Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2022 Sinden urged people who may spot the missing owl to not to approach it themselves. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 June 2022 Cornelius separated his cupped hands and the tiny owl launched westward. Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, 24 May 2022 Or the owl somehow got into the house and in a panic, attacked her. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 10 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English owle, from Old English ūle; akin to Old High German uwila owl
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of owl was before the 12th century