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Definition of whimbrel

whimbrel

/ˈwɪm.brəl/
whim · brel
Plural:whimbrels
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whimbrel Lexical Profile

whimbrel Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, migratory wading bird of the sandpiper family, characterized by a long, down-curved bill and distinct dark stripes on its crown, which breeds in subarctic regions and winters along global coastlines.

Example

"During the spring migration, we set up our spotting scopes near the estuary and watched a small flock of whimbrels probing the mudflats for fiddler crabs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for whimbrel

• Rhymes for whimbrel

• Nearby Words

whig
while
whim
whimbrel
whimper
whimsical
whimsicality

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the mid-16th century, the name is likely imitative of the bird's rapid, trilling call, and may have been influenced by the word 'whimper'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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