covey

noun

cov·​ey ˈkə-vē How to pronounce covey (audio)
plural coveys
1
: a mature bird or pair of birds with a brood of young
also : a small flock
2
: company, group
a covey of schoolchildren

Examples of covey in a Sentence

A covey of schoolchildren approached. A covey of reporters came to the event.
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.
Among the highlights is her vast (and presumably growing) collection of awards, including her covey of CMA and ACM trophies and her 2024 Grammy for Best Country Album, and an array of stage wear that’s a fashionista’s feast. Nancy Kruh, People.com, 19 July 2025 The bulk of the covey swung around my position in a sweeping curve. H. R. Temple, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2025 The sight of a covey of desert quail fills me with a mad, superhuman strength. Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024 And because quail live in coveys, the parasites can spread quickly through wild populations. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 18 July 2024 Often the best way to proceed is to flush the covey, then hunt up the singles, which will often sit very well for a dog. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024 Once hatched, the chicks feed on insects, and the family group stays together, forming a covey that will remain together into the fall. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024 Areas that always produce a covey were lifeless. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 16 Sep. 2020 Home gardens may see nesting mourning dove, a covey of baby quail, or the miracle of tiny hummingbird chicks hatching from miniature eggs in a nest not much bigger than a large thimble. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French covee sitting (of hen), from cover to sit on, brood over, from Latin cubare to lie

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covey. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

covey

noun
cov·​ey ˈkəv-ē How to pronounce covey (audio)
plural coveys
1
: a small flock (as of quail)
2

More from Merriam-Webster on covey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!