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

The partridge gets exposed on the blitz. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025

The partridge wings were served en papillate, and the gray squirrels were simmered in Madeira. — Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025

The partridge, fortunately, appears to have passed out under the pear tree. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

Nearby there’s also pheasant, partridge, and clay pigeon shooting, along with deer stalking. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026

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