partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

 dialectal  ˈpa-trij

plural partridge or partridges

1

: any of various typically medium-sized stout-bodied Old World gallinaceous birds (Perdix, Alectoris, and related genera) with variegated plumage that are often hunted as game

2

: any of various related birds (such as the American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) resembling the Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game

Illustration of partridge

• partridge 1

Examples of partridge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trail cameras documented white-faced partridges four times in 2018 and once in 2021, the study said and photos show. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Some of the most popular choices include partridge pea, butterfly pea, ragweed, blackberry, pokeweed and American beautyberry, Edge said. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

Hence, Willy was at home, taking it out on the partridges. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Oct. 2025

Auron recently found a plant that turned out to be a partridge pea, a legume species native to the East Coast that has bright yellow flowers in summer and fall. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English partrich, modification of Anglo-French perdriz, alteration of Old French perdix, from Latin perdic-, perdix, from Greek perdik-, perdix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for partridge

• cartridge

Kids Definition

partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

plural partridge or partridges

: any of several plump Old World birds related to the common chicken and often hunted as game

also : any of various North American birds (as a bobwhite or ruffed grouse) that are related to and resemble partridges of the Old World