owl

noun

ˈau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce owl (audio)
: 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

Examples of owl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The nocturnal parrots with their owl-like faces remain critically endangered, conservationists say. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 An owl is an example of an animal that gets the best of both worlds. — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 These spacecraft — which are named after a widespread genus of owl — use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to study our planet both day and night, and in all weather conditions. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Both artists, Morris points out, were working in the context of World War II, and the owl’s ability to both burrow and take flight may have appealed to feelings of entrapment and a desire to escape. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for owl

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

Phrases Containing owl

Rhymes for owl

See All Rhymes for owl

Browse Nearby Words

owk
owl
owl's clover
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Cite this Entry

“Owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/owl. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

owl

noun
ˈau̇(ə)l How to pronounce owl (audio)
: any of an order of birds of prey that are active mainly at night and that have a broad head, very large eyes, and a powerful hooked beak and claws

More from Merriam-Webster on owl

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about owl

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