snowbird
noun
snow·bird
ˈsnō-ˌbərd 
1
: any of several birds (such as a junco or fieldfare) seen chiefly in winter
2
: one who travels to warm climes for the winter
Did you know?
Snowbird has been in use since the late 1600s, but it has only been applied to humans since the early 1900s. It was first used to describe men who enlisted in the armed forces to get food and clothing during the winter months and then deserted as the warm spring weather approached. Not long after, the term was applied to the northern laborers who would flock down south to work as the cold, harsh winter set in up north. Today, northerners of all kinds, from vacationers to retirees, can be seen migrating as soon as the first frost arrives.
Examples of snowbird in a Sentence
Like many of the state's snowbirds, they live in Florida from November through March.
Recent Examples on the Web
Florida’s Gulf Coast has long been a magnet for spring breakers, snowbirds, and sunseekers looking to escape colder climates.
—
Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
Set the scene A peaceful retreat after a day of networking or sightseeing, this hotel attracts design-savvy business travelers, snowbirds in sneakers, and the occasional family with kids.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The way it’s written, the 5% cap would apply to any non-homesteaded property, which would include data centers, snowbirds’ condo homes, vacation rentals — even the $170 million home Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg purchased in Miami this year.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The Sunshine State is a favorite destination for snowbirds avoiding harsh winters.
—Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for snowbird
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Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
Set the scene A peaceful retreat after a day of networking or sightseeing, this hotel attracts design-savvy business travelers, snowbirds in sneakers, and the occasional family with kids.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
The way it’s written, the 5% cap would apply to any non-homesteaded property, which would include data centers, snowbirds’ condo homes, vacation rentals — even the $170 million home Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg purchased in Miami this year.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The Sunshine State is a favorite destination for snowbirds avoiding harsh winters.
—Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for snowbird
Cite this Entry
“Snowbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snowbird. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
snowbird
noun
snow·bird
-bərd
: any of several small birds (as a junco) seen chiefly in winter
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