cygnet

noun

cyg·​net ˈsig-nət How to pronounce cygnet (audio)
: a young swan

Examples of cygnet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ball, of course, was Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball at The Plaza Hotel, and the young cygnet was my mother, the actor Candice Bergen. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2024 Her four babies, called cygnets, went missing over the weekend. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 31 May 2023 The counters on the River Thames recorded 94 cygnets, as young swans are called, compared to 155 last year. The New York Times Elaine Chen Emily Anthes, New York Times, 18 May 2023 The swans and cygnets then had their feet or wings tied before they were moved onto the riverbank to be weighed, measured and inspected for signs of injury or illness. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 19 July 2023 All of the cygnets were reunited and turned over to the biologist that the village contracts to care for its swans, Hatter said. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 2 June 2023 Fred and Ginger, a pair of swans beloved by senior care living residents, became parents this spring when two cygnets (baby swans) appeared. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2023 Armed with a search warrant, police found the two cygnets in the store. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 2 June 2023 The eight species have now inhabited Swan Lake for decades and bring forth dozens of cygnets (baby swans) each spring. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 17 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cygnet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sygnett, from Anglo-French cignet, from cigne swan, from Latin cycnus, cygnus, from Greek kyknos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cygnet was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cygnet

Cite this Entry

“Cygnet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cygnet. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cygnet

noun
cyg·​net ˈsig-nət How to pronounce cygnet (audio)
: a young swan

More from Merriam-Webster on cygnet

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