heron

noun

her·​on ˈher-ən How to pronounce heron (audio)
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

Examples of heron 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.
On a recent morning at the Lincoln Park Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, the treetops teemed with innocuous nests where pointed bills gave away the resting herons inside. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025 In the English dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, Pattinson lends the heron an unsavory croak. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025 Guides might even find baby alligators to point out along the way, as well as herons, egrets, turtles, and other typical Florida wildlife. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025 Louisiana restored a bird island, home to brown pelicans, herons and gulls. Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heron

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Heron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heron. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

heron

noun
her·​on ˈher-ən How to pronounce heron (audio)
plural herons also heron
: any of various wading birds with a long neck, long legs, a long thin bill and large wings

More from Merriam-Webster on heron

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