[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/toucan/)

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# toucan

noun (a toucan, toucans)

«toucan» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A toucan is a tropical bird from Central and South America with black feathers and a huge, brightly coloured beak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#m1)
2. (UK) A toucan crossing is a road crossing with lights that both pedestrians and cyclists can use («two can» cross). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons about rainforests and adaptations, the toucan's big beak is light because it is hollow inside; it helps the bird reach fruit on thin branches and lose heat to keep cool. Toucans spread seeds through the forest. In UK road safety lessons, a toucan crossing lets bikes and people cross together. Phrases: toco toucan, keel-billed toucan, toucan crossing.

### Examples

- The toucan's beak is bright orange and very big. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x1)
- A toucan uses its beak to pick fruit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x2)
- Toucans live in the rainforests of South America. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x3)
- Although it looks heavy, a toucan's beak is light and hollow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x4)
- The toucan threw a berry up and caught it in its beak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x5)
- Toucans sleep with their beaks tucked under their wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x6)
- We crossed the road on our bikes at the toucan crossing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x7)
- I painted a toucan with a rainbow beak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/#x8)

### Note

Countable: a toucan, toucans. Pronounced «TOO-kan». Do not confuse with the hornbill of Africa and Asia, which looks similar but is not related. The UK «toucan crossing» is a pun on «two can» (people and bikes), not about birds.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «toucan» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/toucan/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«toucan» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/toucan.html) on Mova free.