chickadee

noun

chick·​a·​dee ˈchi-kə-(ˌ)dē 

: any of several small North American oscine birds (genus Poecile of the family Paridae) that are related to the titmice, usually have the crown of the head distinctly darker than the body, and have sometimes been placed especially formerly in a related genus (Parus)

Examples of chickadee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider offering these types of bird food in the fall: Suet stays fresh longer in cold weather and attracts woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, titmice, Carolina wrens, and warblers. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

Try a caged bird feeder Caged, squirrel-proof feeders work well for small birds like finches and chickadees, and can also keep out aggressive bird species, Birds & Blooms says. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2025

The designs feature a star with water and green hills; a whale in water with a white bird underneath; and three turkey feathers encircling a chickadee. —Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Nyjer seed is particularly tasty to finches of all kinds, but the chickadees in my yard like it as well. —Kat Merck, Wired News, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chickadee

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

chickadee

noun

chick·​a·​dee ˈchik-ə-(ˌ)dē 

: any of several small North American birds with the top of the head black or brown