plumage

noun

plum·​age ˈplü-mij How to pronounce plumage (audio)
: the feathers of a bird
plumaged
ˈplü-mijd How to pronounce plumage (audio)
adjective

Examples of plumage in a Sentence

The peacock has colorful plumage.
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.
Peacocks roam through the garden, their striking plumage often on display. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Its black and white plumage carries a gentle sheen of green as though dressed for a formal affair. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 Birders learn to identify species through careful observation of field marks – for example, a bird’s unique plumage, size and shape – as well as a bird’s behaviors, vocalizations and surrounding habitat. — The Conversation, Fortune, 27 July 2026 The plumage, meanwhile, is formed by stresses in the ice which create deep crevasses, depicted as sharp green lines, in the surrounding landscape. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumage

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Old French, from plume feather — more at plume

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plumage was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing plumage

Browse Nearby Words

plumach
plumage
plumaged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plumage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumage. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plumage

noun
plum·​age ˈplü-mij How to pronounce plumage (audio)
: the feathers of a bird

More from Merriam-Webster on plumage

Nglish: Translation of plumage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plumage

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