early bird

noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of early bird

1 : an early riser

2 : one that arrives early and especially before possible competitors

Recent Examples of early bird from the Web

Bingo Enjoy weekly early bird games and general bingo for an opportunity to win cash prizes.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Coral Springs and Coconut Creek area events, April 18-28," 18 Apr. 2018
Enhancia’s Neova ring is now available on Kickstarter with early bird pricing of $259.95 and an estimated delivery date of March 2019.

— dani deahl, The Verge, "Enhancia’s wireless MIDI ring for musicians is now on Kickstarter," 18 Apr. 2018
The shop will give away coffee and doughnuts to early birds and owner Scott Schaaf has enlisted his mom to bake free brownies and cookies for customers.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Music / Do This Record Store Day 2018: here's what shops are doing to celebrate in the Chicago area," 17 Apr. 2018
Because of its early bird status, and especially grave pollution problem at the time, Congress gave California the unusual right to keep making its own regulations, even though federal rules should supersede state ones.

— alex davies, WIRED, "China and the Children Will Save the Electric Car From Scott Pruitt's EPA," 30 Mar. 2018
Follow the money *Campaign finance reports for the first quarter are due later this month, but early birds are already filing. *Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Morning Spin: Illinois lawmakers to discuss sports betting today," 3 Apr. 2018
Two-day early bird passes for the all-ages, rain or shine event are on sale now here, with 2-day VIP tickets going for $245 and 2-day GA tickets running $85; single-day tickets ($55) will go on sale at a later date.

— gil kaufman, Billboard, "Flaming Lips, MGMT, Local Natives Headlining Ohio's New Bellwether Music Festival," 22 Mar. 2018
Getting In There’s a $10 to $20 cover for weekend parties, for those who don’t arrive in time for the early bird specials.

— tas tobey, New York Times, "Nowadays, a Backyard Party Spot in Queens, Gets an Indoor Annex," 20 Mar. 2018
Admission is $5; early birds welcomed at 9 a.m. for $15.

— brenda yenke, cleveland.com, "Yesterday's playtime takes center stage: Yenke Peddler antiques column," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'early bird.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of early bird

from the proverb, "the early bird catches the worm"

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First Known Use: 1830

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