meadowlark

noun

mead·​ow·​lark ˈme-dō-ˌlärk How to pronounce meadowlark (audio)
-də-
: any of several American songbirds (genera Sturnella and Leistes of the family Icteridae) that are streaked brown above and in northernmost forms have a yellow breast marked with a black crescent

Illustration of meadowlark

Illustration of meadowlark

Examples of meadowlark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s also known for its birdlife, with meadowlarks, bobolinks, and migrating cranes using the prairie as seasonal habitat. Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025 Lark buntings, mountain bluebirds and western meadowlarks are just a few of the passerines that thrive along the Red Deer River, while raptors like the sharp-shinned hawk and prairie falcon can sometimes be seen soaring high overhead. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Gray foxes are said to reside here along with reptiles like the smooth green snake and eastern milk snake, as well as numerous birds, including the Virginian rail, Henslow’s sparrow, bobolink and eastern meadowlark. Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 Black terns and eastern meadowlarks have also dwindled. John Myers, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for meadowlark

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meadowlark was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meadowlark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meadowlark. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

meadowlark

noun
mead·​ow·​lark -ˌlärk How to pronounce meadowlark (audio)
: any of several North American songbirds that are largely brown and buff above with a yellow breast having a black V-shaped mark across it

More from Merriam-Webster on meadowlark

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!