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.
Plans for the site include nature trails, a tree canopy walk, an owl enclosure, a frog bog, a North American river otter habitat and interactive labs representing the Piedmont region. — Chase Jordan august 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2026 Within a week, Flaco had triumphed over the doubters who feared that an owl raised in captivity wouldn’t have the strength or stamina to survive in the outside world. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026 Night owls across the Gem State can also catch glimpses of a partial lunar eclipse, planets and the full Sturgeon Moon. — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2026 In February of 2023, the male Eurasian eagle-owl, the largest species of owl in the world, was discovered missing from his cage at the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 31 July 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

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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 9 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of owl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about owl

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