buzzard

noun

buz·zard | \ ˈbə-zərd

\

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

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about buzzard

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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.

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 on the Web

Just hours old, the little guy was exposed to the elements and just a few hours away from the buzzards circling. — Angela Helm, The Root, "Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser Adopts Newborn in Surprise Announcement," 22 May 2018 Residents of the area, including the Rev. Ronald Smith and Phyllis Gosa, have alleged that since the landfill arrived, the town has been plagued by buzzards, foul odors, speeding garbage trucks and increased traffic on local roads. — Dennis Pillion, AL.com, "Judge: EPA's delayed response to Alabama landfill complaint violated law," 5 Apr. 2018 Over the years, Kotulak has seen just about every sort of buzzard fan. — Bruce Geiselman, cleveland.com, "Police arrest drunken driving suspect after crash: North Olmsted Police Blotter," 17 Mar. 2018 The buzzards may eventually be released into the wild. — National Geographic, "Animals Rescued From the 'World’s Worst Zoo'," 26 Sep. 2016 Another good indicator is turkey buzzards and other soaring birds. — David Patterson, star-telegram, "A Soaring Passion," 27 Oct. 2017 The company is trying to replicate what buzzards, falcons, hawks and other birds can do naturally: locate moving warm pockets of air called thermals and glide. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "These AI Gliders Hunt for Updrafts to Fly Forever," 16 Aug. 2017 And, naturally, there are lesser parasites dining on what the buzzard leaves behind. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Would You Rent from This Man?," 23 May 2017 They were told to watch for circling buzzards and to check foul-smelling trash cans. — Max Londberg And Laura Bauer, kansascity.com, "25 years and no trace of 3 Missouri women: ‘People aren’t supposed to just disappear’," 7 June 2017

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.

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Dictionary Entries near buzzard

buzzard's-berry

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Time Traveler for buzzard

The first known use of buzzard was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for buzzard

buzzard

noun

English Language Learners Definition of buzzard

: a kind of large bird that eats animals that are already dead

: a kind of large hawk

See the full definition for buzzard in the English Language Learners Dictionary

buzzard

noun

buz·zard | \ ˈbə-zərd

\

Kids Definition of buzzard

: a usually large bird of prey that flies slowly

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WORD OF THE DAY

biannual

occurring twice a year or every two years

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