nightingale
noun
-tiŋ-\
Definition of nightingale
(Entry 1 of 2)
: an Old World thrush (Luscinia megarhynchos synonym Erithacus megarhynchos) noted for the sweet usually nocturnal song of the male also : any of various other birds noted for their sweet song or for singing at night
Nightingale
biographical name
-tiŋ-\
Definition of Nightingale (Entry 2 of 2)
Florence 1820–1910 English nurse and philanthropist
Illustration of nightingale
Noun
In the meaning defined above
Examples of nightingale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The nightingale sang just before midnight, as if it were perched in the boughs of the dripping tree in the car park. — Deborah Levy, The Cut, "The Cost of Living," 1 July 2018 In Germany, the nightingale, that most melodious nocturnal wonder, was traded by the quart like a commodity. — Adrian Higgins, sacbee, "Fertilize your creative spirit with these gardening books," 8 June 2018 This, then, is a book that provides food for thought as well for nightingales. — Simon Barnes, WSJ, "‘Pasta for Nightingales’ Review: Birdwatching Tips From the Renaissance," 13 Apr. 2018 But sometimes, the doubling is intriguing; the rat girl, Alysia Chang, returns as the Chinese nightingale. — Allan Ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "Oakland becomes Land of the Sweets with disarming annual ‘Nutcracker’," 24 Dec. 2017 Saya particularly misses hearing her mother’s bedtime stories, especially her Haitian tale about a nightingale who keeps children safe. — Wendy Dunn, star-telegram, "Immigration stories explain current affairs in a way children, teens can understand," 20 Oct. 2017 When Wilbur was a teenager, his first poem, about a nightingale, was published in a magazine. — Husna Haq, The Christian Science Monitor, "Remembering poet Richard Wilbur, 'heir to Robert Frost'," 16 Oct. 2017 As a teenager, his poem about a nightingale was published in John Martin's Magazine. — Hillel Italie, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Richard Wilbur, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, dies at 96," 15 Oct. 2017 As a teenager, his poem about a nightingale was published in John Martin's Magazine. — Hillel Italie, Time, "Richard Wilbur, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet, Has Died at 96," 15 Oct. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nightingale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for nightingale
nightingale
noun
English Language Learners Definition of nightingale
: a small brown European bird that sings a beautiful song especially at night
See the full definition for nightingale in the English Language Learners Dictionary
nightingale
noun
\
Kids Definition of nightingale
: a reddish brown European bird noted for the sweet song of the male usually heard at night
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on nightingale
What made you want to look up nightingale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
A mythological/etymological mashup!
Take the quiz -
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz -
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quiz -
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share nightingale
Resources for nightingale