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: 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 owl has lived there since 2008, after an eye injury led him to be rescued by Stone Nature Center in Topeka. Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 12 Jan. 2026 The owl represents the drive to do something, but then there are other forces. Bettina Funcke, Artforum, 7 Jan. 2026 Screech owls need 3-inch entrance holes, making most standard birdhouses uninhabitable for them. Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026 Put the nest box up in winter (preferably before February) since owls nest early in the year. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Owl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/owl. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

owl

noun
: 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

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