stork: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral. Common in informal and literary contexts; formal in ornithology.
Quick answer
What does “stork” mean?
A large, long-legged, long-necked wading bird, typically with a long, heavy bill, famous in European folklore for delivering babies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, long-legged, long-necked wading bird, typically with a long, heavy bill, famous in European folklore for delivering babies.
Used figuratively to refer to childbirth or new arrivals in a family. Also, in a technical/ornithological context, any bird of the family Ciconiidae.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The species 'White Stork' is common in European contexts, while 'Wood Stork' is more relevant in North America.
Connotations
The 'baby-delivery' connotation is equally strong in both varieties. British English may have slightly stronger folkloric associations due to European cultural heritage.
Frequency
Similar, low-to-mid frequency. More frequent in contexts involving folklore, nature documentaries, or discussions of childbirth.
Grammar
How to Use “stork” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] stork [VERBed]We're expecting a visit from the stork.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stork” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) To 'stork' someone is to inform them a baby is coming via a stork-themed card or gift.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) In gaming slang, to be 'storked' can mean to be unexpectedly delivered a powerful item.
adjective
British English
- The nursery had a stork-themed mobile hanging above the cot.
American English
- They sent out stork-announcement cards to all their friends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in branding (e.g., 'Stork Margarine') or company names related to delivery services.
Academic
In ornithology and zoology papers discussing Ciconiidae morphology, migration, or conservation.
Everyday
Primarily in the context of pregnancy announcements, jokes about new babies, or when spotting the bird in nature.
Technical
As a taxonomic family name (Ciconiidae) and in ecological studies of wetland birds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stork”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stork”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stork”
- Misspelling as 'stalk'. Incorrect use: 'We bought a stork for the garden' (unless referring to a statue).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a Western European and North American folk tale. Other cultures have different origin stories for babies.
Storks tend to be larger, have heavier, often straighter bills, and typically fly with their necks outstretched, not retracted like herons.
Not in standard English. Its verbal use is extremely rare, informal, and often humorous, based on the baby-delivery myth.
The word comes from Old English 'storc', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'stork' and German 'Storch'. The ultimate origin is likely imitative of the bird's call or its stiff posture.
A large, long-legged, long-necked wading bird, typically with a long, heavy bill, famous in European folklore for delivering babies.
Stork is usually neutral. common in informal and literary contexts; formal in ornithology. in register.
Stork: in British English it is pronounced /stɔːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɔːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A visit from the stork”
- “The stork is on its way”
- “Delivered by the stork”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "The STORK STORKS (stores) babies in its big beak before delivering them." The word sounds like 'stalk', which it does on its long legs.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHILDBIRTH IS THE ARRIVAL OF A MESSENGER BIRD (The stork brings the baby).
Practice
Quiz
In an ornithological context, to which family does the stork belong?