bunting

1 of 4

noun (1)

bun·​ting ˈbən-tiŋ 

: any of various stout-billed passerine birds (families Cardinalidae and Emberizidae) of which some are grouped with the cardinal and some with the New World sparrows compare indigo bunting, painted bunting

bunting

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a lightweight loosely woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations

2

a

: flags

b

: decorations especially in the colors of the national flag

bunting

3 of 4

noun (3)

: an infant's hooded garment made of napped fabric

bunton

4 of 4

noun (4)

bun·​ton ˈbən-tᵊn 

variants or bunting

ˈbən-tᵊn, 

-tiŋ 

plural -s

: divider sense 3

Examples of bunting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Red, white and blue bunting is a staple of patriotic parades and front-porch decorations. — Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

Up high, fresh laundry quivers in the breeze like bunting, pegged precariously to twine stretched taut between windows. — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 3 June 2026

The bunting acts as a demonstration of a confidence that is being tested by the rightward-shifting politics of the city. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 21 May 2026

The Patriots festooned their parties with banners and flags; thus, streamers, bunting or trendy flag banners in red, white, and blue would be an impeccable look. — Brooke Barbier, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps from English dialect bunt (to sift)

Noun (3)

term of endearment in the nursery rhyme "Bye, baby bunting"

Noun (4)

English dialect bunting piece of squared timber

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1922, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bunting

• indigo bunting
• painted bunting
• snow bunting

Rhymes for bunting

• blunting
• fronting
• grunting
• hunting
• shunting
• stunting
• confronting

Kids Definition

bunting

1 of 2 noun

bun·​ting ˈbənt-iŋ 

: any of various finches that are similar to sparrows in size and habits but have stout bills

bunting

2 of 2 noun

1

: a thin cloth used chiefly for making flags and patriotic decorations

2

: flags or decorations made of bunting

Etymology

Noun

Middle English buntynge "bunting"

Noun

possibly derived from a dialect word bunt "to sift (meal)"