peafowl

American  

[pee-foul] / ˈpiˌfaʊl /

noun

plural

peafowls,

plural

peafowl

1. any of several gallinaceous birds of the genera Pavo, of India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, and the East Indies, and Afropavo, of Africa.

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peafowl British  

/ ˈpiːˌfaʊl /

noun

1. either of two large pheasants, Pavo cristatus ( blue peafowl ) of India and Ceylon and P. muticus ( green peafowl ) of SE Asia. The males (peacocks) have a characteristic bright plumage See peacock

2. a rare closely related African species, Afropavo congensis ( Congo peafowl ), both sexes of which are brightly coloured

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Etymology

Origin of peafowl

First recorded in 1795–1805; pea ( peacock ) + fowl

Example Sentences

As of the city’s 2025 peafowl census, there were 216 of the birds across six neighborhoods, up from 165 last year — a 31% increase.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

Barnes said any trapped peafowl would be sent to homes off the peninsula that had been screened and reviewed by the city and its trapping vendor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

Currently there are 21 peafowl - a term that encompasses both male and female birds - including eight peachicks, four of which hatched earlier this month.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

In the affluent village of Pinecrest, the peafowl found larger lots with plenty of greenery that were far more to their liking.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2023

I looked up as I ran under some trees, other­wise peafowl might excrete on me.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel