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Definition of sheathbill

sheathbill

/ˈʃiːθ.bɪl/
sheath · bill
Plural:sheathbills
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sheathbill Lexical Profile

sheathbill Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of the plump, white, scavenging birds of the family Chionidae, native to the Antarctic and subantarctic regions, characterized by a distinct horny sheath covering the base of their upper beak.

Example

"While observing the penguin colony on the Antarctic Peninsula, the research team spotted a pale sheathbill scavenging for krill near the nests."

• Nearby Words

shears
shearwater
sheatfish
sheathbill
shebelle
shed
sheep

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century from 'sheath' and 'bill', referring directly to the characteristic horny plate or sheath that covers the base of the bird's upper mandible.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sheathbill. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sheathbill
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