Definition

A small seabird with a distinctive black and white plumage, orange beak, and orange feet, known for its comical appearance and diving ability. Puffins are found primarily in the North Atlantic and are skilled swimmers that hunt fish underwater.

Example Usage

We saw a colony of puffins nesting on the rocky cliffs during our trip to Iceland.

Origin

Origin uncertain; possibly from Cornish or Middle English dialectal words. First recorded in English around the 14th century.

Fun Fact

Puffins can dive up to 200 feet deep and hold multiple fish in their beaks at once—they can carry up to 10 small fish crosswise in their mouths without dropping them.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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