ostrich

noun

os·​trich ˈä-strich How to pronounce ostrich (audio)
ˈȯ-,
 also  -strij
1
a
: a swift-footed 2-toed flightless ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds (140 kilograms)
b
: rhea
c
: leather made from ostrich skin
2
[from the belief that the ostrich when pursued hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be unseen] : one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty by refusing to face it
ostrichlike
ˈä-strich-ˌlīk How to pronounce ostrich (audio)
ˈȯ-
 also  -strij-
adjective

Examples of ostrich 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.
For a 2001 collection, Alexander McQueen created a scaly bodice out of glass microscope slides painted blood red, then paired it with an exuberant skirt of dyed red-and-black ostrich plumes, contrasting the brittle, angular shards with the soft, floating feathers. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2025 Showing an apparent lack of understanding of how infections spread, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz, now administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, proposed relocating the ostriches from Canada to Oz’s ranch in Okeechobee, Florida. Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 Best of all, Henrietta just happens to be an ostrich. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025 His ostrich feather jacket brought the ensemble together, adding a flamboyant vibe that was necessary for achieving the feeling this year’s Met Gala theme was all about. Andrea Bossi, Essence, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ostrich

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ostriz, ostrige, from Vulgar Latin *avis struthio, from Latin avis bird + Late Latin struthio ostrich — more at struthious

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ostrich was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ostrich.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostrich. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

ostrich

noun
os·​trich ˈäs-trich How to pronounce ostrich (audio)
ˈȯs-
1
: a very large bird of Africa that often weighs as much as 300 pounds (140 kilograms), runs very quickly but cannot fly, and has large wing and tail feathers used especially formerly in dusters and fans and to adorn hats and clothing
2
: one who tries to avoid danger by refusing to face it

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