peacock

1 of 2

noun

pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk How to pronounce peacock (audio)
1
: a male peafowl distinguished by a crest of upright feathers and by greatly elongated loosely webbed upper tail coverts which are mostly tipped with iridescent spots and are erected and spread in a shimmering fan usually as a courtship display
broadly : peafowl
2
: one making a proud display of oneself : show-off
peacockish
ˈpē-ˌkä-kish How to pronounce peacock (audio)
adjective
peacocky
ˈpē-ˌkä-kē How to pronounce peacock (audio)
adjective

peacock

2 of 2

verb

peacocked; peacocking; peacocks

intransitive verb

: show off

Examples of peacock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Or the Italian monastery table that seats 24, never mind the tapestries, peacock feathers, brass candlesticks and Persian rugs seemingly everywhere. —Jane Margolies, New York Times, 8 May 2024 In her latest collaboration with stylist Law Roach, Zendaya's gala look evokes a peacock, with shades of green, purple and blue. —Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for peacock 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peacock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pecok, from pe- (from Old English pēa peafowl, from Latin pavon-, pavo peacock) + cok cock

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peacock was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing peacock

Dictionary Entries Near peacock

peacoat

peacock

Peacock

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Peacock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peacock. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

peacock

noun
pea·​cock
ˈpē-ˌkäk
: the male of a very large Asian pheasant having a very long brightly colored tail that can be spread or raised, a small crest of upright feathers on the top of the head, and in most forms brilliant blue or green feathers on the neck and shoulders

Biographical Definition

Peacock

biographical name

Pea·​cock ˈpē-ˌkäk How to pronounce Peacock (audio)
Thomas Love 1785–1866 English novelist and poet

More from Merriam-Webster on peacock

Nglish: Translation of peacock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of peacock for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peacock

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