sparrow

spar·row

noun \ˈspa-(ˌ)rō\

Definition of SPARROW

1

: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced; especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (family Emberizidae) that are New World birds (as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

— spar·row·like \-rō-ˌlīk, -rə-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of SPARROW

Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with SPARROW

arrow, barrow, farrow, harrow, marrow, narrow

sparrow

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).—William D. Griffin

Any of numerous species of small chiefly seed-eating songbirds having a conical bill, particularly the house sparrow, and most members of the New World family Emberizidae. Some species of Emberizidae are common. The trim-looking chipping and tree sparrows have a reddish brown cap. The finely streaked savanna and vesper sparrows inhabit grassy fields. The heavily streaked song and fox sparrows are woodland dwellers. The white-crowned and white-throated sparrows are larger than most species and have black-and-white crown stripes.