grackle

noun

grack·​le ˈgra-kəl How to pronounce grackle (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Quiscalus of the family Icteridae) of large American blackbirds having iridescent black plumage
2
: any of various Asian starlings (such as the hill mynahs)

Examples of grackle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Think: a bald eagle in her closet, a monkey, flamingos, grackles and a very intense cassowary bird. Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025 Unlike other squirrel-proof bird feeders, this one is ideal for small birds and won’t attract bigger, more intimidating birds like ravens, eagles, grackles, or black birds. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025 Also the red-winged blackbird and the common grackle. Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025 Postmortem tests of grackles, blackbirds, and other birds found dead on dairy farms detected H5N1, but that didn't turn the tide. Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, ABC News, 24 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for grackle

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Gracula, genus name, alteration of Latin graculus jackdaw

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grackle was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grackle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

grackle

noun
grack·​le ˈgrak-əl How to pronounce grackle (audio)
: any of several rather large American blackbirds with glossy mostly black feathers

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