poultry

noun

poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat

Examples of poultry in a Sentence

This wine goes well with poultry.
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.
Practice food safety, especially when preparing raw meat, poultry, and seafood.13 Avoid eating around animals or kissing pets. Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 6 June 2025 Consumers who want to report a meat, poultry, or egg product: Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System at www.foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 5 June 2025 Avian influenza is a virus capable of causing serious harm to both animals and humans, with significant implications for Canada's poultry businesses and international trade status. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 For overall health, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing lean, unprocessed poultry when possible.5 6. Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for poultry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pultrie, from Anglo-French pulletrie, from pulleter poulterer, from pullet chicken — more at pullet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poultry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poultry. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

poultry

noun
poul·​try ˈpōl-trē How to pronounce poultry (audio)
: domesticated birds kept for eggs or meat
Etymology

Middle English pultrie "fowl raised for food," from early French pulletrie (same meaning), from pulleter "one who raises poultry," from pullet "chicken" — related to pullet

More from Merriam-Webster on poultry

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!