What does peewit mean?
A peewit is a lapwing, a distinctive brown, green, and white bird of open fields and wetlands. It is easily recognized by the thin black crest on its head and, especially in spring, by its loud, melancholy two-note call. The name is imitative, developed from the sound traditionally associated with the bird. Peewits feed on insects and other small invertebrates and often forage in flocks. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate aerial displays, rising into the air and tumbling while calling. The bird's conspicuous crest and distinctive cry make it a memorable feature of countryside birdwatching. Although the alternative name lapwing is widely used by modern ornithologists, peewit remains common in Britain and Ireland and has a traditional, evocative character.
nounA peewit is a brown and green plover-like bird with a long crest and a distinctive two-note call. It is the common name for the lapwing, especially in Britain and Ireland.
- The lapwing, a crested wading bird of the plover family, found across Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.
"A peewit called from the field as the evening light began to fade."
"The farmer watched a peewit perform its tumbling display over the meadow."
"The name peewit is especially familiar in British and Irish birdwatching."
The plural is used for individual birds as well as groups in ordinary prose; birdwatchers may also say a flock of peewits.
"A flock of peewits wheeled over the marsh."
The peewit's name comes from its piercing call—an early example of naming a bird after the sound it makes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does peewit come from?
The English word peewit is imitative: it was formed in the early modern period from the bird's characteristic cry. The name has parallels in several European languages, including Dutch kievit and Welsh pewit, all associated with the lapwing or its call. Over time, the standard name lapwing became predominant in ornithological English, but peewit survived as a traditional regional name.
Related word forms
How peewit is actually used
Peewit is the traditional name for the lapwing and is especially common in British and Irish English. In modern ornithological usage, lapwing is often preferred, while peewit remains readily understood and traditional.
Easily confused with peewit
A peewit is a crested European plover, whereas a pewee is a small flycatcher belonging to the tyrant-flycatcher family.
A peewit is a ground-dwelling plover-like bird, not a pigeon or dove.