gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgi-zərd 

1

a

: the muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus

b

: a thickened part of the digestive tract in some animals (such as an insect or an earthworm) that is similar in function to the crop of a bird

2

: innards

Examples of gizzard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Technically, the grand opening is Thursday, but a soft launch, open to all fans of gizzards, livers and G-sauce, is already underway. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025

Add gizzards, liver, and other pieces about halfway through the process. —Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025

Dishes on recent mouthwatering menus included: Périgord Salad (walnuts, duck gizzards and mixed greens); Confit de Canard with Sarladaise potatoes; Truffle omelette, Grilled fish with ratatouille and mushroom risotto. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Place the neck, heart, liver and gizzards of the turkey inside a medium-sized saucepan. —Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English giser gizzard, liver, from Anglo-French gesir, giser, from Latin gigeria (plural) giblets

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for gizzard

• blizzard
• izard
• lizard
• wizard

Kids Definition

gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgiz-ərd 

: a large muscular part of the digestive tube (as of a bird or insect) which has a horny lining and in which food is churned and ground into small pieces

Medical Definition

gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgiz-ərd 

: the muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for churning and grinding the food