parrot

1 of 2

noun

par·​rot ˈper-ət How to pronounce parrot (audio)
ˈpa-rət
1
: any of numerous widely distributed tropical birds (order Psittaciformes and especially family Psittacidae) that are often crested and brightly colored, have a distinctive stout hooked bill and zygodactyl feet, and include some excellent mimics
2
: a person who sedulously echoes another's words
parrot adjective

parrot

2 of 2

verb

parroted; parroting; parrots

transitive verb

: to repeat by rote

Examples of parrot in a Sentence

Verb Some of the students were just parroting what the teacher said. the toddler parroted everything her father said, often to the latter's embarrassment
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This is an ability known as vocal learning, and is perhaps most notably exhibited when a parrot mimics a person’s speech (or profanity). Nicholas Stfleur, STAT, 15 Mar. 2024 The three-in-one set creates a rabbit and carrot for some festive fun, and it can also be built into a cockatoo parrot or seal. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 The consumer market for pet reptiles was sluggish by comparison; through the nineteen-eighties, wildlife traders viewed parrots as more profitable. Rebecca Giggs, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 The three-in-one set features a white rabbit that can be broken down and rebuilt into a cute cockatoo parrot or an adorable white seal. Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 Copilot’s response appeared to parrot reviews on Cycling Weekly and Cycling News. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024 About 30 of the parrots at the wildlife park make noises that sound like trucks reversing, while others imitate microwaves. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 In the meantime, the Moore Lab Project aspires to become a hub for urban parrot ecology. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, wine and cheese socials daily, access to beach chairs and umbrellas, and conversations with resident parrots Tango and Tangee. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
The development comes after numerous lawmakers from across the political divide urged an explicit ban, rather than using a regulatory approach to ensure that publications don't parrot views of state actors. Pan Pylas, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 But as DeSantis soaked up attention from right-wing media and Republicans across the country parroted his policies, his culture war agenda made little difference to voters who said their top concerns are the economy and immigration. Mary Ellen Klas, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 The problem is that Vena’s version of events — parroted on right-wing podcasts and at courthouse protests — is incomplete, and the case is far more complicated than the online narrative. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Nasrallah said Tuesday that diplomats visiting Lebanon are clearly prioritizing the security of Israel and parroting its demands. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 The Daily Show is supposed to cut through the media’s dishonesty, not parrot it. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 The theory that the Super Bowl game was rigged in the Chiefs' favor was parroted among some conservative circles, where it was suggested that a win would give Swift an opportunity to endorse Mr. Biden in the presidential election. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2024 Some of them enthusiastically parroted several of the mayor’s call-and-response chants from the stage. Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024 Soon, millions of Americans were parroting the narrative, and not only from the remove of the Internet. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parrot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably modification of Middle French perroquet

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parrot was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near parrot

Cite this Entry

“Parrot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parrot. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parrot

1 of 2 noun
par·​rot ˈpar-ət How to pronounce parrot (audio)
1
: any of numerous usually brightly colored tropical birds marked by a strong hooked bill, by toes arranged in pairs with two in front and two behind, and often by the ability to mimic speech
2
: a person who repeats the words of others without understanding what they mean

parrot

2 of 2 verb
: to repeat words like a parrot

More from Merriam-Webster on parrot

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