powder down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical (Ornithology/Zoology)
Quick answer
What does “powder down” mean?
A specialized type of feather in some birds that continuously disintegrates at the tips into a fine, water-resistant powder, used for plumage maintenance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specialized type of feather in some birds that continuously disintegrates at the tips into a fine, water-resistant powder, used for plumage maintenance.
The powdery substance produced by these feathers; by extension, any similar fine, dry substance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no additional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to specialized ornithological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “powder down” in a Sentence
[Bird species] + have/possess + powder downPowder down + helps + [verb phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and evolutionary biology papers to describe a specific feather adaptation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Precise term for feathers that keratinize into a powder, often discussed in relation to plumage care, waterproofing, and avian anatomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “powder down”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “powder down”
- Using 'powder down' as a countable noun (e.g., 'three powder downs').
- Confusing it with 'down feathers' used for insulation.
- Misspelling as 'powderdown' (should be two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Powder down refers to a specialized type of feather that grows continuously and breaks down at the tip into a fine, talc-like powder. Birds use this powder to condition and waterproof their other feathers.
It is found in several bird families, including herons, parrots (especially cockatoos and African greys), pigeons, and some birds of prey. It is not universal across all bird species.
The down used in jackets is the soft, fluffy underplumage of birds like geese, used for insulation. Powder down is a functionally distinct feather type that produces powder, it is not primarily for warmth.
Often, you cannot easily distinguish powder down feathers visually among other feathers. However, you might see the powdery residue, especially on dark-colored birds or on the beaks and heads of birds that actively distribute it.
A specialized type of feather in some birds that continuously disintegrates at the tips into a fine, water-resistant powder, used for plumage maintenance.
Powder down is usually technical (ornithology/zoology) in register.
Powder down: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊ.də daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊ.dɚ daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird dusting itself with talcum powder from its own 'down' (soft feathers) to stay clean and dry.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S TALCUM POWDER: The feather is conceptualized as a self-replenishing container of a beneficial, dry substance.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary biological function of powder down?