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

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

Peacocks in Pittencrieff Park is staffed by volunteers and funded by public donations, and Suzi now has the grand job title of "lead peafowl warden".

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

Nearly 100 peafowl walk freely around the zoo’s grounds.

From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2023

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

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel