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Definition of osprey

osprey

/ˈɑː.spɹi/
os · prey
Plural:ospreys
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osprey Lexical Profile

osprey Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan global distribution, characterized by dark brown upperparts, white underparts, and specialized reversible outer toes for grasping slippery fish.

Example

"We watched in awe as the osprey folded its wings, dived feet-first into the river, and emerged with a struggling salmon in its talons."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for osprey

• Nearby Words

osmerid
osmophobia
osmosis
osprey
osprey falls
osso buco
ostensibly

Word Origin & Etymology

Late Middle English, from Old French 'ospres', based on Latin 'ossifraga' (bone-breaker), but heavily influenced and altered by association with Medieval Latin 'avis praedae' (bird of prey).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Osprey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/osprey
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