shear·wa·ter / ˈshirˌwôtər; -ˌwätər/ • n. 1. a long-winged seabird (Puffinus and other genera, family Procellariidae) related to the petrels, often flying low over the surface of the water far from land. 2. North American term for skimmer (sense 2).

shearwater Seabird related to the albatross and petrel. Most species are brown or black with pale underparts. Shearwaters live most of their lives on the ocean; they feed on fish and squid, and burrow nests in coastal cliffs. Length: 19–56cm (7.5–22in). Family Procellariidae.