egret

[ ee-grit, eg-rit, ee-gret, ee-gret ]

noun

1. any of several usually white herons that grow long, graceful plumes during the breeding season, as Egretta garzetta little egret, of the Old World.
2. aigrette.

egret

/ ˈiːɡrɪt /

noun

1. any of various wading birds of the genera Egretta, Hydranassa, etc, that are similar to herons but usually have a white plumage and, in the breeding season, long feathery plumes: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes See also aigrette

Word History and Origins

Origin of egret¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English egret(e), from Anglo-French egret (compare Middle French égreste aigrette ), alteration (with -on exchanged for -et -et ) of dialectal Old French aigron, from Germanic; heron

Word History and Origins

Origin of egret¹

C15: from Old French aigrette, from Old Provençal aigreta, from aigron heron, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German heigaro heron

Example Sentences

You’ll see egrets and herons in the tidal wetlands of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and perhaps even snowy plovers nestling in the dunes or pecking for insects in the wet sand.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet another reader described a “magical” spot at Stinson Beach in Marin County, where birders could watch scores of snowy egrets and great blue herons nest.

From Los Angeles Times

She argues her critics inaccurately divide all birds into two groups, thereby mixing theropods' closest cousins with more distant relatives like pelicans, egrets, albatrosses and penguins.

From Salon

He liked the painting, a colorful picture of a bird called an egret.

From NewsForKids.net

An egret swooped by and darted off again, leaving the echo of its cry.

From Literature