grackle

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noun grack·le \ ˈgra-kəl \

Definition of grackle

1 :any of a genus (Quiscalus of the family Icteridae) of large American blackbirds having iridescent black plumage

2 :any of various Asian starlings (such as the hill mynahs)

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Recent Examples of grackle from the Web

A man called about an injured common grackle in the yard.

— Washington Post, "Fairfax County Animal Watch," 6 June 2017
Now a study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE finds that two more species successfully perform the task: the bullfinch (Loxigilla barbadensis) and the Carib grackle (Quiscalus lugubris fortirostris), both of Barbados.

— National Geographic, "Brainy Birds Know How to Reel in Food With String," 17 Aug. 2016
Our urbanized environments favor bird species that are flexible in their eating and foraging habits, and willing to do bold, innovative things, like blackbirds or grackles or sparrows.

— National Geographic, "Here's Why 'Birdbrain' Should Be a Compliment," 15 May 2016
The focus of the new report, all the songbirds identified so far represent a single subgroup – the Icteridae – that contains blackbirds, orioles, grackles, cowbirds, and others.

— brian switek, WIRED, "The Lost Cowbird of Térapa," 14 Mar. 2011
Brown thrashers, starlings, meadowlarks, grackles, and pheasants were virtually annihilated, and so were robins.

— rachel carson, The New Yorker, "Silent Spring—II," 1 Jan. 1950

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

Origin and Etymology of grackle

New Latin Gracula, genus name, alteration of Latin graculus jackdaw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1772

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GRACKLE Defined for English Language Learners

grackle

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noun

Definition of grackle for English Language Learners

: a common American bird that has shiny black feathers

GRACKLE Defined for Kids

grackle

play

noun grack·le \ ˈgra-kəl \

Definition of grackle for Students

:a large blackbird with shiny feathers that show changeable green, purple, and bronze colors

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See words that rhyme with grackle Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grackle

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grackle

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GRACKLE Defined for English Language Learners

grackle

Definition of grackle for English Language Learners

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grackle

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