moa — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of several species of large, extinct, flightless birds of the family Dinornithidae that were native to New Zealand; until its extinction, one species was the largest bird in the world.

   Examples

   The moas (order Dinornithiformes) of New Zealand are likewise extinct but almost certainly some still survived when Tasman first sighted the islands in 1642.

   For instance, the little bush moa fed nearly exclusively on forest vegetation, whereas the heavy-footed moa was a grazer in open vegetation habitats.

2. An extremely tall individual.

   Usage

   • Internet
   • Uncommon

Noun

1. extinct flightless bird of New Zealand

   Broader terms

   ratiteratite birdflightless bird