Illustration of ibis
ibis
noun
ˈī-bəs 
plural ibis or ibises
: any of various chiefly tropical or subtropical wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) related to the herons but distinguished by a long slender downwardly curved bill
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Three sandhill cranes at Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson, two more cranes in Plympton, a white ibis at the Judge Cushing Puddle in Scituate, and a hooded warbler at the Manomet Bird Observatory. 
BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Martha’s Vineyard: Two gadwalls at Katama, 25 wood ducks at Blackwater Pond Reservation in Vineyard Haven, two glossy ibis at Chappaquiddick, and two yellow-throated warblers in Tisbury. BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Equally unusual were a white ibis in Quincy and a lingering black-necked stilt at Nantucket. BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 The giant ibis, along with other physically distinctive birds of extreme shapes and sizes, is more likely to be lost in the current biodiversity crisis, according to a study published on Thursday in the journal Current Biology. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Adults of the largest bird in the ibis family can grow to almost 3.5 feet in length, weigh more than nine pounds and boast nine-inch beaks that bring to mind a Venetian plague doctor mask. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Flying ibis, as graceful as ballerinas, elude a snarling dog. Elisa Turner, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2022 In addition to the salmon that are once again spawning at Steigerwald Lake, there have been sightings of uncommon birds like white-faced ibis, black-necked stilts and great-tailed grackles, Fernandez said. oregonlive, 3 July 2022 Beyond piecing together the ibis’ backstory, Barsody is working to digitize the mummy for inclusion in an upcoming exhibition. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2022 See More
BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 Martha’s Vineyard: Two gadwalls at Katama, 25 wood ducks at Blackwater Pond Reservation in Vineyard Haven, two glossy ibis at Chappaquiddick, and two yellow-throated warblers in Tisbury. BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2022 Equally unusual were a white ibis in Quincy and a lingering black-necked stilt at Nantucket. BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 The giant ibis, along with other physically distinctive birds of extreme shapes and sizes, is more likely to be lost in the current biodiversity crisis, according to a study published on Thursday in the journal Current Biology. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Adults of the largest bird in the ibis family can grow to almost 3.5 feet in length, weigh more than nine pounds and boast nine-inch beaks that bring to mind a Venetian plague doctor mask. New York Times, 21 July 2022 Flying ibis, as graceful as ballerinas, elude a snarling dog. Elisa Turner, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2022 In addition to the salmon that are once again spawning at Steigerwald Lake, there have been sightings of uncommon birds like white-faced ibis, black-necked stilts and great-tailed grackles, Fernandez said. oregonlive, 3 July 2022 Beyond piecing together the ibis’ backstory, Barsody is working to digitize the mummy for inclusion in an upcoming exhibition. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from Egyptian hbw
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
ibis
noun
ˈī-bəs
plural ibis or ibises
: a tall bird related to the herons with long legs and a slender bill that curves down