n.
Pronunciation: ' her- ə n, ' he-r ə n
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural herons also heron
Etymology: Middle English heiroun, hayroun, from Anglo-French heiron, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German heigaro heron
Date: 14th century
: any of various long-necked and long-legged wading birds (family Ardeidae) with a long tapering bill, large wings, and soft plumage