1. a large water bird with a long bill and a pouch beneath it for catching and holding fish

Examples

• The pelican dove into the water to catch a fish.
• A flock of pelicans flew over the harbor at sunset.
• The brown pelican is common along the Gulf Coast.
• We watched the pelican fill its pouch with water and fish.
• Pelicans are known for their distinctive large bills.
• The white pelican is one of the largest birds in North America.