ornithology

1 of 2

noun

or·​ni·​thol·​o·​gy ˌȯr-nə-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural ornithologies

1

: a branch of zoology dealing with birds

2

: a treatise on ornithology

ornithological

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or less commonly ornithologic

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-jik 

ornithologically

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ornithologist

ˌȯr-nə-ˈthä-lə-jist 

noun

ornithological

2 of 2

adjective

or·​nitho·​log·​i·​cal ȯ(r)¦nithə¦läjə̇kəl 

¦ȯ(r)nəthə¦l-, 

-jēk-

variants or ornithologic

-jik 

-jēk

: of or relating to ornithology

ornithologically

-jə̇k(ə)lē 

-jēk-, 

-li

adverb

Examples of ornithology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are a lot of ways to do ornithology, but there are infinite ways to do birding — because birding is about enjoying and connecting with nature. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026

Gillet belongs to the Bird Technical Advisory Committee, which is working with ornithology experts to establish goals for the recovery of the species. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Dec. 2025

Rollins talks about how her poems engage in call and response with other texts, including the music of Sun Ra and Stevie Wonder and images connected to ornithology, anatomy, Afrofuturism, and the history of slavery. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025

Known for his love of ornithology, Reeves has created entire series devoted to birds, even spawning a TV show and book of bird illustrations. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin ornithologia, from ornith- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ornithology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

ornithology

noun

or·​ni·​thol·​o·​gy ˌȯr-nə-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of zoology dealing with birds