What does pelican mean?
A pelican is a large waterbird with a distinctive long bill and expandable throat pouch. The pouch is not simply a container for swallowed fish: it helps the bird capture prey, drain water, and manipulate food before swallowing. Pelicans are found in many coastal, estuarine, and inland habitats around the world, and some species nest in large colonies. The best-known North American examples are the brown pelican and the American white pelican, although other species occur in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In general conversation, “pelican” is recognizable because of the bird’s unusual bill and its occasional association with coastal scenery. The word is also used figuratively in phrases describing people who consume large amounts of food, although that usage is less common than the straightforward reference to the bird.
nounA large waterbird with long legs, webbed feet, and a long bill expanded into a conspicuous throat pouch. Pelicans live chiefly in coastal and inland waters and feed mainly on fish.
- A large aquatic bird of the family Pelecanidae, characterized by webbed feet, a long bill, and a throat pouch.
- Any of various related or similarly named waterbirds, especially the brown pelican and the American white pelican.
"A brown pelican plunged into the water, emerging with a fish held in its bill."
"The pelican rested on a wooden post beside the harbor."
"Conservationists monitored the pelican colony during the breeding season."
The usual plural is “pelicans.”
"Several pelicans gathered near the shoreline."
A pelican’s famous bill pouch helps it catch and handle fish, making the bird instantly recognizable even without a picture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pelican come from?
The English word comes through Old French from Latin pelicanus, which in turn derives from the Greek pelekan, the name of the bird. The Greek term was borrowed into Latin and subsequently transmitted through medieval European languages into English. The modern spelling reflects the established English form, while the family name Pelecanidae preserves the same ancient root.
Related word forms
How pelican is actually used
Usually used as a countable noun. In British English, “pelican” can also refer to the white pelican, while “brown pelican” and “American white pelican” are more specific names in North American usage.