poultry - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
poultry Word Meanings
- domesticated birds raised for food
- meat from such birds
- a category of birds including chickens and ducks
poultry Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
poultry Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈpəʊl.tri/
US
/ˈpoʊl.tri/
poultry Word Etymology
poultry = poul- (from Latin 'pullus' meaning young animal) + -try (a suffix indicating a collective group). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a farm full of young chickens and ducks, all clucking and quacking, representing poultry as they bring food to tables.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Poultry refers to domesticated birds kept for food, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. The term covers both the living animals and the meat obtained from them, and it can also mean a broad category of birds collectively used for dietary purposes. In everyday English, you might hear about a poultry farm, poultry products like eggs, and the poultry industry when discussing farming practices, supply chains, or dietary choices. While poultry meat is a common protein source worldwide, some cultures emphasize fresh eggs and seasonal specialties. Understanding poultry helps describe farms, markets, and menus with accuracy.
Usage Reminders
- Poultry is a collective noun for multiple birds kept for food.
- It can refer to live birds or to meat from those birds.
- Common examples are chickens, ducks, and turkeys.
- The word is often uncountable in phrases like 'poultry meat.'
- Do not say 'a poultry' for a single bird.
- Use 'poultry products' for eggs and other outputs.
Common Misconceptions
- Poultry means meat only, not live birds.
- Poultry is always plural and always pluralized as 'poultries'.
- Only chickens are poultry; turkeys, ducks, and geese are not.
- Eggs are not poultry; they come from poultry but are separate.
- Poultry refers to red meat categories like beef or pork.
Thinking Differences
Poultry is a collective noun in English describing multiple birds used for food. Learners often think it requires a plural form or that it refers to a single bird, which leads to mistakes like 'poultries' or 'a poultry'. Explain that it behaves as a mass noun in most contexts and pairs with singular verbs when speaking of poultry as a whole.
Learning Tips
- Learn poultry as a mass noun for the category of birds.
- Remember common collocations: poultry farm, poultry products, poultry industry.
- Practice with both edible meat and living birds in context.
- Compare with other meat categories to avoid confusion with red meat.
- Watch for uncountable usage in phrases like 'poultry is healthy'.
- Use examples with multiple species (chicken, duck, turkey) to broaden vocabulary.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'poultry'?
A.Domestic fowls, such as chickens and turkeys
B.Birds hunted for sport
C.Birds raised for their feathers
D.Wild birds found in forests
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'poultry' correctly?
A.She went birdwatching to observe poultry in the wild.
B.The farmer raised cattle and sheep on the farm.
C.He found a rare poultry species while hiking in the mountains.
D.The restaurant served a delicious poultry dish made with chicken.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'poultry'?
A.Fish
B.Dairy
C.Beef
D.Livestock
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'poultry'?
A.Vegetarian
B.Exotic
C.Wildlife
D.Fowl
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you commonly encounter 'poultry'?
A.At a grocery store's meat section
B.In a bakery
C.At a pet store
D.At a car repair shop
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