heron
noun
her·on ˈher-ən 
ˈhe-rən
plural herons also heron
: any of various long-necked and long-legged wading birds (family Ardeidae) with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Over the past several centuries, New Zealand has become home to the Australian bittern, the white-faced heron, the welcome swallow. 
Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 The granite canopy is surmounted by a bronze heron, a bird that spends much of its life in the water. John Kelly, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 At the edge of my private plunge pool in my villa suite at Pasha, a heron takes methodical steps along the concrete ledge, its reflection rippling through the water. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 7 July 2022 Garter Day at Windsor, which sees knights wear long velvet robes and a hat decorated with white ostrich and black heron feathers, is the first day of a festive week for the Queen. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 10 June 2022 During the late spring and early summer, Ibis Pond here is a hotspot to see species of breeding heron and egrets. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2022 The flatworm begins its life in a snail, then moves into a California killifish, then to its final destination in the gut of a predatory water bird, such as a heron or egret. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2022 The Baker's Lake preserve is home to one of the most significant heron rookeries in the Midwest, according to the Forest Preserves organization. Mallika Kallingal And Amanda Musa, CNN, 15 Apr. 2022 Another nest in the national park that was first noticed this year is atop a heron nest off Canal Road, south of Rockside Road, and the birds appear to be incubating, Trimbath said. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 9 Mar. 2022 See More
Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 The granite canopy is surmounted by a bronze heron, a bird that spends much of its life in the water. John Kelly, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2022 At the edge of my private plunge pool in my villa suite at Pasha, a heron takes methodical steps along the concrete ledge, its reflection rippling through the water. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 7 July 2022 Garter Day at Windsor, which sees knights wear long velvet robes and a hat decorated with white ostrich and black heron feathers, is the first day of a festive week for the Queen. Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, 10 June 2022 During the late spring and early summer, Ibis Pond here is a hotspot to see species of breeding heron and egrets. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2022 The flatworm begins its life in a snail, then moves into a California killifish, then to its final destination in the gut of a predatory water bird, such as a heron or egret. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 28 Apr. 2022 The Baker's Lake preserve is home to one of the most significant heron rookeries in the Midwest, according to the Forest Preserves organization. Mallika Kallingal And Amanda Musa, CNN, 15 Apr. 2022 Another nest in the national park that was first noticed this year is atop a heron nest off Canal Road, south of Rockside Road, and the birds appear to be incubating, Trimbath said. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 9 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English heiroun, hayroun, from Anglo-French heiron, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing heron
Kids Definition
heron
noun
her·on ˈher-ən
: a wading bird that has long legs, a long neck, a long thin bill, and large wings