Definition of buzzard
1 chiefly British : buteo
2 : any of various usually large birds of prey (such as the turkey vulture)
3 : a contemptible or rapacious person
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Examples of buzzard in a Sentence
the real estate buzzards were really putting pressure on the one homeowner who was still refusing to sell
that crotchety old man can be a real buzzard when he's in a bad mood—which is usually the case
Recent Examples of buzzard from the Web
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They were told to watch for circling buzzards and to check foul-smelling trash cans.
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So the family's buzzard-ish instinct for economic and social carrion remains pretty sharp.
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Other considerations could be the blue jay or the buzzard.
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And young Jared has a buzzard's eye for the latter.
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But others, like the huge, reticent king buzzard and spectacled owl, are rare, exotic hunters that Minnesotans never see.
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There follow chapters about somewhat less likely things, like the fate of someone raised by buzzards.
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The trading deadline: If the Angels are out of it in July, buzzards will be circling around their roster looking to pick off some of the impending free agents.
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Hunters and conservationists opposed to the change in the code are concerned that scavengers like coyotes and buzzards may be exposed to the poison and spread it throughout the ecosystem.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buzzard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
In Britain, the word buzzard refers chiefly to several birds of prey of the hawk genus Buteo. In North America, a buzzard is any of various New World vultures, especially the turkey vulture. In Australia, a large hawk of the genus Hamirostra is called a black-breasted buzzard. Buteos, also called buzzard hawks, can usually be distinguished when soaring by their broad wings and expansive rounded tail. The plumage of most species is dark brown above and white or mottled brown below; the tail and underside of the wings are usually barred. Buteos customarily prey on insects, small mammals, and occasionally birds. They nest in trees or on cliffs. Species range over much of the New World, Eurasia, and Africa. The red-tailed hawk, the most common North American buteo, is about 2 ft (60 cm) long.
Origin and Etymology of buzzard
Middle English busard, from Old French, alteration of buison, from Latin buteon, buteo hawk
BUZZARD Defined for English Language Learners
buzzard
playDefinition of buzzard for English Language Learners
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: a kind of large bird that eats animals that are already dead
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: a kind of large hawk
BUZZARD Defined for Kids
buzzard
playDefinition of buzzard for Students
: a usually large bird of prey that flies slowly
Learn More about buzzard
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for buzzard Spanish Central: Translation of buzzard Nglish: Translation of buzzard for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buzzard
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