bird

noun, often attributive

\ 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

Not much research has been done on this, but what has been done has been fairly comprehensive, observing the actions of all types of birds. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Did scrub-jay challenge Moraga resident with a line in the sand?," 6 Sep. 2019 The park is also teeming with bears, moose, elk, and plenty of birds. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Very Best National Parks You Need to Visit," 5 Sep. 2019 High water levels after Irma also flattened much of the shore grasses that flank the trail and provide cover for alligators, otters and a bevy of birds. — Stephen Hudak, orlandosentinel.com, "Hurricane Dorian closes Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive for Labor Day weekend," 30 Aug. 2019 After all, there were billions of these birds in the skies not long ago. — Terry Demio, Cincinnati.com, "Martha, the last of her breed, might lose that distinction if scientists have their way," 29 Aug. 2019 For the swimming cove, officials are wanting to place a band of bird’s eye sand at the shoreline and add finer sand in the area where children and families play and beachgoers spread out towels and blankets. — Karen Berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "Park District of Highland Park seeks infusion of emergency sand for Rosewood Beach damaged by erosion," 29 Aug. 2019 Thousands of birds were killed during a hailstorm in Montana last week, the state’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks said. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Hail Kills 11K Birds in Montana Storm — and the Birds Likely Had No Warning: Report," 23 Aug. 2019 There was the sound of waves and the cry of sea birds. — Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, "From Buenos Aires to the Chilean Coast: A Road Trip Across South America," 22 Aug. 2019 For animals, the events are more varied and include hibernation, hatching, animal calls, moulting, and in the case of birds, game and fish (among others) migration. — Jennifer Fitchett, Quartz Africa, "These scientists tracked South Africa’s sardine run over 66 years," 4 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Though fledgling bird-watchers, Nick and Ellie are among the youngsters involved in birding in Harford County, where several grade schools pique their interest with engaging programs in ornithology, even if some kids can’t yet spell the word. — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, "Harford youngsters’ interest in birding is piqued through programs in the county," 20 Aug. 2019 This area features 7,155 acres of bottomland forest along the Sipsey River available for canoeing, birding, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, biking, picnicking and wildlife photography. — Frank Sargeant, al.com, "Lake Eufaula turns out huge catches in Alabama Bass Trail Event," 19 June 2019 Download the Great Birding Guide from the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council to find the area's top birding locations. — Houston Chronicle, "Have fun in Galveston without breaking the bank," 14 June 2019 But the elision of bird-birder-birding somehow touched the beyond, and birding is now the word of choice.... — Laura Jacobs, WSJ, "Book Review: Why Birders Flock Together," 17 May 2019 Its filmmaker, Jeffrey Kimball, an urban birding convert, captured four seasons of Central Park’s birding community in an engaging portrait of its singular characters. — Penelope Green, New York Times, "Young Urban Birders, Open Your Hearts to the Treetops!," 23 June 2018 EASY PEEPERS North River Wildlife Sanctuary offers birding by van at monthly outings. — Robert Knox, BostonGlobe.com, "Floral art makes the books bloom in Norwell," 20 Apr. 2018 But instead of writing the obvious profile, Taffy made birding the foundation for a story about a man who, in the age of sharing, has built a fence around himself. — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, "What Paris Couture and Jonathan Franzen Have in Common," 6 July 2018 Courtesy of Crystal Lagoon Fishing piers, birding trails, wildlife blinds, butterfly gardens, bicycle paths and playgrounds. — Houston Chronicle, "Houston nature centers and preserves," 10 May 2018

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.