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

The muscular gizzard contains grit pecked up from the chicken’s ground feeding, which is used to crush up the chicken’s food. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025

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

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