stork

noun

ˈstȯrk How to pronounce stork (audio)
: any of various large wading birds (family Ciconiidae) chiefly of Asia, Africa, and South America that have long stout bills and are related to the ibises and herons

Illustration of stork

Illustration of stork

Examples of stork in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the film, Dumbo, a baby elephant with large ears, is dropped off by a stork at a circus in Florida. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026 White storks began appearing in Germany with African arrows embedded in their bodies. — Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 During the reunion, emergency responders received pink stork pins recognizing their role in helping deliver a baby outside a hospital setting. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Hunters eventually found more such Pfeilstorchs (arrow storks), giving credence to the hypothesis that the white stork not only migrated but did so between Europe and Africa. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stork

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English storc; akin to Old High German storah stork and probably to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stork was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing stork

Rhymes for stork

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Browse Nearby Words

storis
stork
stork-billed kingfisher
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Cite this Entry

“Stork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stork. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stork

noun
ˈstȯ(ə)rk How to pronounce stork (audio)
: any of various large mostly African and Asian wading birds that have long stout bills and are related to the herons and ibises

More from Merriam-Webster on stork

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stork

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