: any of various stout-billed passerine birds (families Cardinalidae and Emberizidae) of which some are grouped with the cardinal and some with the New World sparrows compare indigo bunting, painted bunting
1
: a lightweight loosely woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations
2
a
: flags
b
: decorations especially in the colors of the national flag
: an infant's hooded garment made of napped fabric
Examples of bunting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Union Jack bunting fluttered overhead.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Though the Red Sox did shoot themselves in the foot with base-running, fielding and bunting failures in Game 2, thus costing them their shot at reaching the ALDS, Game 3 was a bit more representative of the Red Sox and their weaknesses.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Glue on textural embellishments, such as felt flowers, berry branches, and a burlap bunting, that welcome the season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bunting
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Noun
The play backfired because the Dodgers ran a perfect wheel play, an anachronistic maneuver in a sport in which sacrifice bunting is all but dead.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Union Jack bunting fluttered overhead.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Though the Red Sox did shoot themselves in the foot with base-running, fielding and bunting failures in Game 2, thus costing them their shot at reaching the ALDS, Game 3 was a bit more representative of the Red Sox and their weaknesses.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Glue on textural embellishments, such as felt flowers, berry branches, and a burlap bunting, that welcome the season.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bunting
Cite this Entry
“Bunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bunting. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bunting
1 of 2 noun
bun·ting
ˈbənt-iŋ 
: any of various finches that are similar to sparrows in size and habits but have stout bills
bunting
2 of 2 noun1
: a thin cloth used chiefly for making flags and patriotic decorations
2
: flags or decorations made of bunting
Etymology
Noun
Middle English buntynge "bunting"
Noun
possibly derived from a dialect word bunt "to sift (meal)"
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