variants or less commonly birdfeeder or bird-feeder
plural bird feeders also birdfeeders
: a device or apparatus for supplying food to birds
especially : one that is designed to be used outdoors in order to attract wild birds

Examples of bird feeder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Where to set bird feeders outside Pick a spot in direct sunlight so moisture build up isn’t an issue. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 Removing bird feeders and dropped seeds can encourage turkeys to move on. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2024 Fish and Game: Remove bird feeders to prevent spread of salmonellosis Idaho Fish and Game officials are recommending residents temporarily remove bird feeders on their properties to prevent further spread of an outbreak of salmonellosis, a bacterial disease that’s fatal to birds. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 To help the birds survive the cold, Winger said, people can provide seeds in bird feeders or thistle feeders. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024 Position bird feeders in a location that is less likely to attract small animals or bring the feeders in at night (to keep coyotes from feeding on the bird food or the other animals). Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 That includes bird feeders, since birdseed attracts smaller game and deer to your yard — and invites more mountain lions. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Large windows and glass doors nearest bird feeders and fruit plants are often the deadliest. Tracey Tully, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Fish and Game normally recommends cleaning bird feeders once a month with soap and water to prevent the spread of disease between wild birds. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird feeder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird feeder was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near bird feeder

Cite this Entry

“Bird feeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20feeder. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!