bird

noun, often attributive

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\ ˈbərd

Definition of bird

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 archaic : the young of a feathered vertebrate

2 : any of a class (Aves) of warm-blooded vertebrates distinguished by having the body more or less completely covered with feathers and the forelimbs modified as wings

3 : a game bird

4 : clay pigeon

5a : fellow

b : a peculiar person

c chiefly British : girl

6 : shuttlecock

7 chiefly British

a : a hissing or jeering sound expressive of disapproval

b : dismissal from employment

8 : a thin piece of meat rolled up with stuffing and cooked

9 : a man-made object (such as an aircraft, rocket, or satellite) that resembles a bird especially by flying or being aloft

10 : an obscene gesture of contempt made by pointing the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers down —usually used with the

— called also finger

11 : birdie sense 2

for the birds

: worthless, ridiculous

bird

verb

birded; birding; birds

Definition of bird (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to observe or identify wild birds in their habitats

Bird

biographical name

\ ˈbərd

Definition of Bird (Entry 3 of 3)

Larry (Joe) 1956– American basketball player

Other Words from bird Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about bird

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Examples of bird in a Sentence

Noun A large bird flew overhead. The birds were singing outside our window. He's a tough old bird. We met some smashing birds at the pub last night.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Preserving an individual bird is a humbling process. — Anchorage Daily News, "A rare Alaska bird comes back to life in a taxidermist’s capable hands," 8 May 2021 The statewide aerial counts of ducks and geese were completed last week, according to Taylor Finger, DNR migratory bird ecologist. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After a COVID interruption in 2020, the DNR is resuming most fish and wildlife field work this spring," 8 May 2021 The husk and leaves turn into Quetzal bird feathers, which are sacred and were used as currency in Aztec and Maya cultures. — Stephanie García, baltimoresun.com, "Paintings, jewelry, salsa dancing and more: Mother’s Day market this Saturday showcases Latino artists," 7 May 2021 While most dinosaurs were thought to hunt primarily during the day, a little bird-like dinosaur may have been strictly a night hunter, a new study suggests. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "This little bird-like dinosaur hunted at night, study suggests," 6 May 2021 Courts have been split on whether companies can be prosecuted for unintentional bird deaths. — Matthew Brown, Star Tribune, "US proposes ending rule that weakened wild bird protections," 6 May 2021 Courts have been split on whether companies can be prosecuted for unintentional bird deaths. — BostonGlobe.com, "US proposes ending rule that weakened wild bird protections," 6 May 2021 But cameras on the rocket provided bird's eye views of the ascent, showing the ground falling away as SN15 gained altitude. — William Harwood, CBS News, "SpaceX successfully launches — and lands — Starship prototype in milestone test flight," 6 May 2021 The researchers found one small dinosaur, Shuvuuia deserti, had pupils proportionally larger than any living bird or dinosaur and an inner ear that was similar to that of a barn owl. — Katie Hunt, CNN, "This tiny dinosaur hunted in the dark and heard better than an owl," 6 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Birders can bird all weekend or just a few hours, Andersen said. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "If you’ve taken up birdwatching during the pandemic, CT Audubon’s got a contest for you," 8 May 2021 On Monday, a white woman named Amy Cooper went viral for threatening the life of a Black man, Christian Cooper (no relation), who was just trying to bird watch in Central Park in peace. — Kathleen Newman-bremang, refinery29.com, "The Pandemic Of Black Trauma Will Never End," 1 June 2020 Outdoor activities like trail running, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, birding, fishing, kayaking, traditional golf and disc golf are perfect for social distancing. — Josh Woods, The Conversation, "How lingering fears from the pandemic could change the way we watch and play sports," 22 May 2020 For a taste of nature, Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, located on the north side of town, offers birding and wildlife viewing as well as miles of walking trails. — David James, Anchorage Daily News, "Exploring Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City," 9 Sep. 2015 Outdoor activities are still permitted, including bicycling, birding, boating, fishing, geocaching, hiking and hunting. — Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, "Prepare to pay fees at Indiana state parks starting May 15," 15 May 2020 With many birding hotspots closed and organized outings canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, birders have been forced to hang up their binoculars. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Take a Virtual Bird Walk With the Atlanta Audubon Society," 24 Apr. 2020 The Piney Woods Wildlife Society coordinates birding field trips for its members, and meets the third Wednesday of most months at the Dennis Johnston Park Big Stone Lodge in Spring. — Melanie Feuk, Houston Chronicle, "Active bald eagle nest in Tomball garners attention," 13 Mar. 2020 The basic tools for birding are not that expensive. — Popular Science, "How to start birding in any US city," 18 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bird.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.