Meaning & Definition of Tern in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: Any of various long-winged seabirds of the family Laridae, typically having a slender body and a pointed tail.

  Example Sentence: The tern gracefully skimmed over the water in search of fish.

• Definition: A term used to refer to a bird of this kind, often found near coastal areas.

  Example Sentence: We watched the terns dive for their meals at the beach.

Etymology

Origin: From Middle English 'terne', from Old English 'tern', of uncertain origin.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• tern-like: Similar in appearance or behavior to a tern.
• tern nesting: The act of terns laying eggs and rearing young, often in colonies.

Translations

• Spanish: gaviota

• French: ternes

• German: Seeschwalbe

• Russian: крачка

Related Words

• gull: A seabird related to the tern, typically larger and with a more stocky body.

• swallow: A small bird that catches insects in flight, often confused with terns due to its shape.