Definition of FINCH

Examples of finch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Darwin’s ideas about evolution were based on the observable characteristics of his finches. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "What We Can Learn From a New Bird Tree of Life," 21 Apr. 2018 Presently, an invasive parasitic fly threatens to render the endemic mangrove finch—of which only an estimated 100 remain—extinct. — Alexandra Kirkman, Fortune, "Visit the Galapagos Like a Royal," 23 June 2018 Mosquitoes become carriers of the disease after feeding on infected birds, such as crows, ravens and finches, which act as hosts for the disease. — Hannah Holzer, sacbee, "Vigilance urged as Sacramento region leads state in West Nile virus activity," 12 July 2018 Her garden was a wildlife habitat and a migration stopover for hummingbirds, butterflies, and finches. — Bonnie L. Cook, Philly.com, "Joan 'Penny' Colgan-Davis, innovative educator and clerk of Quaker meetings," 6 July 2018 Birds such as crows, ravens, finches and magpies act as hosts for the disease. — Hannah Holzer, sacbee, "West Nile Virus season has begun: 8 birds have tested positive in Sac County," 25 June 2018 This medium-sized finch is a native to western North America, but today it is found throughout the United States and Hawaii. — Ernie Cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "House finches right at home raising family here," 17 May 2018 At 490m above sea level, Cerro Mesa Reserve offers spectacular views of the largest crater on Santa Cruz Island, exotic plants, and seven unique subspecies of finch and the elusive vermilion flycatcher. — Allie Almario, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to the Galápagos Islands," 5 Oct. 2016 Parrots and finches live in the sunroom of the main house. — Candace Taylor, WSJ, "A Connecticut Estate With Animal Menagerie Seeks $13.75 Million," 4 May 2018

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

History and Etymology for finch

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)

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