bird-of-par·a·dise
ˈbərd-əv-ˈper-ə-ˌdīs 
-ˌdīz,
- ˈpa-rə-
: an ornamental plant (Strelitzia reginae of the family Strelitziaceae) native to southern Africa that has scapes terminating in a horizontal bract from which emerges an upright flower having three orange or yellow sepals and three irregular blue petals
: any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed oscine birds (family Paradisaeidae) chiefly of New Guinea and neighboring islands
Examples of bird-of-paradise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
The woman didn’t seem surprised to learn that birds-of-paradise were biofluorescent.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Fantastic creatures Vividly flamboyant birds-of-paradise display stunning plumage in emerald, lemon, cobalt and ruby hues.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
Little is known about the vision of birds-of-paradise.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
Earlier studies found that many species of birds-of-paradise evolved another color quirk — ultrablack feathers that absorbed nearly all the wavelengths of light that strike them.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Male birds-of-paradise have a lot of tools in their arsenal for attracting potential mates: bright feathers, elaborate dances and, according to new research, the ability to glow.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
This rare structural color is part of the assortment of naturally occurring colors seen in some species of birds-of-paradise, snakes, butterflies, spiders and fishes (Figure 1).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Instead, try Taylor’s suggestions: large-scale, easy-to-maintain plants like birds-of-paradise and bamboo palms.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2023
Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
Neatly arrayed along the walls are new takes on the orchids, dahlia or bird of paradise flowers introduced in 2024, plus a handful of bag charms making their debut in person in Paris and online.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
If strong winds are predicted in your area, bring in houseplants with larger leaves such as peace lilies, bird of paradise, and monstera, to avoid damage.
5.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
Emerald Check Small Garden Pot There are a variety of planters and vases in this colorway, with some small enough for a solo succulent and others large enough to transplant your bird of paradise.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
Most birds of paradise live high in the forest canopy, while some dwell closer to the ground.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2025
There are many plant varieties that can quickly transform your space, such as birds of paradise for your outdoor space, and aromatic lavender in the kitchen.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
Inside, tropical flora – red canna, alocasia, birds of paradise – hung from hooks attached to the ceiling.
—Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
The glow factor of birds of paradise is apparently important for mating displays.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In addition to tropical varieties of all kinds (bromeliads, hibiscus, bananas, bird-of-paradise), Leu is home to one of the state’s largest formal rose gardens, a tropical steam garden (similar to a rainforest), a collection of fruit trees, a camellia collection, and so much more.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
The woman didn’t seem surprised to learn that birds-of-paradise were biofluorescent.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Fantastic creatures Vividly flamboyant birds-of-paradise display stunning plumage in emerald, lemon, cobalt and ruby hues.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025
Little is known about the vision of birds-of-paradise.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 20 Feb. 2025
Earlier studies found that many species of birds-of-paradise evolved another color quirk — ultrablack feathers that absorbed nearly all the wavelengths of light that strike them.
—Jason Bittel, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Male birds-of-paradise have a lot of tools in their arsenal for attracting potential mates: bright feathers, elaborate dances and, according to new research, the ability to glow.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025
This rare structural color is part of the assortment of naturally occurring colors seen in some species of birds-of-paradise, snakes, butterflies, spiders and fishes (Figure 1).
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Instead, try Taylor’s suggestions: large-scale, easy-to-maintain plants like birds-of-paradise and bamboo palms.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2023
Noun phrase
Scientists have cited the iconic birds of paradise of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia as inspiration for a new evaporation technology that may improve desalination of seawater.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
Neatly arrayed along the walls are new takes on the orchids, dahlia or bird of paradise flowers introduced in 2024, plus a handful of bag charms making their debut in person in Paris and online.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
If strong winds are predicted in your area, bring in houseplants with larger leaves such as peace lilies, bird of paradise, and monstera, to avoid damage.
5.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 May 2025
Emerald Check Small Garden Pot There are a variety of planters and vases in this colorway, with some small enough for a solo succulent and others large enough to transplant your bird of paradise.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2025
Most birds of paradise live high in the forest canopy, while some dwell closer to the ground.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2025
There are many plant varieties that can quickly transform your space, such as birds of paradise for your outdoor space, and aromatic lavender in the kitchen.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
Inside, tropical flora – red canna, alocasia, birds of paradise – hung from hooks attached to the ceiling.
—Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
The glow factor of birds of paradise is apparently important for mating displays.
—Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bird-of-paradise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird-of-paradise. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share