1. a small sandpiper bird that runs along beaches and shorelines, feeding on small invertebrates in the sand
Usage: ornithology

Examples

• The sanderlings scurried back and forth with the waves, searching for food in the wet sand.
• We watched a flock of sanderlings running along the water’s edge at the beach.
• The small sanderling quickly darted away from the incoming wave.
• Sanderlings are common shorebirds that migrate long distances between breeding and wintering grounds.
• The birdwatcher identified the sanderling by its distinctive feeding behavior and pale plumage.
• During winter, sanderlings can be found on sandy beaches throughout much of the world.