- any of several usually white herons that grow long, graceful plumes during the breeding season, as Egretta garzetta(little egret ), of the Old World.
- aigrette.
- any of various wading birds of the genera Egretta, Hydranassa, etc, that are similar to herons but usually have a white plumage and, in the breeding season, long feathery plumes: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes
