finch

noun

ˈfinch 

: any of numerous passerine songbirds (families Fringillidae, Estrildidae, Emberizidae, and Cardinalidae) having a short stout usually conical bill adapted for crushing seeds

Examples of finch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In essence, trees developing this adaptation are not all that different from Darwin’s finches evolving special beaks to crack particular seed shells, or a monarch caterpillar’s ability to accumulate milkweed toxin to limit predation by birds. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 13 Sep. 2024

Nyjer, advertised as thistle seed in some brands, is ideal for finches, Yoerger said. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Sep. 2024

Mourning doves, chickadees, finches, and sparrows love their nutritious seeds. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024

Their berries are an important food source for thrushes, finches, robins, and waxwings during fall and winter months. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fynche, fynch, going back to Old English fink, going back to West Germanic *finki-, *finkja-, perhaps going back to an Indo-European echoic noun base *ping-, whence also Greek pínga "nestling" and, with mobile s, Greek spíngon "siskin," Old Norse spiki "tit," Swedish spink "finch" (in regional gulspink "yellowhammer" or "great tit"), dialectal English spink "finch" (perhaps borrowed from Scandinavian)

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing finch

• house finch
• purple finch
• zebra finch

Kids Definition

finch

noun

ˈfinch 

: any of numerous songbirds (as the sparrows, grosbeaks, crossbills, goldfinches, and buntings) that have a short stout bill adapted for crushing seeds