broadbill: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/TechnicalTechnical (Ornithology, Zoology), Archaic
Quick answer
What does “broadbill” mean?
A type of bird characterized by a wide, flat bill.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of bird characterized by a wide, flat bill; originally a name for certain ducks and later for a family of tropical Asian songbirds.
An archaic term for a fish with a broad head and mouth, such as a swordfish; also a rare historical term for a type of wide-bladed weapon or tool.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning, but frequency may vary slightly with local bird species.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “broadbill” in a Sentence
The [adjective] broadbill [verb]A broadbill of the [region]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology/zoology papers to refer to specific bird families.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term for birds in the families Eurylaimidae (Old World) and sometimes for ducks like the shoveler.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “broadbill”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “broadbill”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “broadbill”
- Using it as a common noun for any bird with a wide beak; it is a specific taxonomic name.
- Spelling as two words: 'broad bill'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both. Historically, it referred to ducks like the shoveler. Modern ornithology primarily uses it for the tropical songbird family Eurylaimidae.
It is highly unlikely unless you are specifically discussing certain types of birds. It is a technical term.
The songbird broadbills are found in tropical Africa and Asia, particularly in forest habitats.
The broad, often hooked, bill is an adaptation for catching insects in flight or snatching them from foliage.
A type of bird characterized by a wide, flat bill.
Broadbill is usually technical (ornithology, zoology), archaic in register.
Broadbill: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːdˌbɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɔːdˌbɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird with a bill that is BROAD, like a tiny shovel.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORM IS FUNCTION (a broad bill enables specific feeding methods).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'broadbill' most commonly used today?