French word

pélican

Pronunciation

IPA/pelikɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpelican

Example

J'ai vu un pélican au zoo.

I saw a pelican at the zoo.

Illustration for pélican (pelican)

More examples

Elle a pris une photo d'un pélican sur la jetée.

She took a picture of a pelican on the pier.

Core concept

A large waterside bird with a long bill and a flexible throat pouch for carrying fish.

Common phrases

  • prendre une photo d'un pélican

    take a picture of a pelican

  • observer un pélican

    observe a pelican

  • un pélican blanc

    a white pelican

Similar words

oiseau: A feathered animal with wings that is generally capable of flight.
canard: A waterbird with a flat bill and webbed feet.
mouette: A small to medium coastal bird that may eat fish and discarded food.

Definition in French

Oiseau aquatique de grande taille, au long bec doté d'une poche extensible qui permet de retenir des poissons.

Word origin

French pélican comes through Latin pelicanus from Ancient Greek pelekanos, an old name for this bird.

Usage tips

  • Pélican is masculine, so the standard indefinite phrase is un pélican and the adjective agrees in the masculine.

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