Definitions of tern

1. Any one of numerous species of long- winged aquatic birds, allied to the gulls, and belonging to Sterna and various allied genera.

2. A water bird belonging to the gull family.

3. A small gull - like bird with pointed bill.

4. A genus of long- winged aquatic fowls, allied to the gull.

5. A long- winged aquatic fowl, allied to the gulls.

6. Threefold; triple; consisting of three; ternate.

7. That which consists of, or pertains to, three things or numbers together; especially, a prize in a lottery resulting from the favorable combination of three numbers in the drawing; also, the three numbers themselves.

8. Three- fold: consisting of three.