any of several small petrels, esp. the storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Word origin
[1590–1600]This word is first recorded in the period 1590–1600. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Byzantine, dummy, fixture, mission, tea
Examples of 'sea swallow' in a sentence
sea swallow
In fact, terns are often called sea swallows.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They are often called sea swallows because swallows' tails are also forked.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Look out for sea swallows - their name reflects their long wings, elegant flight and reappearance in spring with the swallows.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Terns are white seabirds with a light and graceful flight and a forked tail that has given them their other name of sea swallows.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I wake to the screech of sea swallows darting beyond my cabin, courteously guzzling stray flies on the wing.