Definition of northern cardinal
: cardinal 5a(1)
- … studies have shown that certain Indiana species, including the northern cardinal, have been inching farther north for more than 100 years.
- —Robert Annis, Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2009
- This seems to be the year of the northern cardinal as they are plentiful everywhere.
- —Phyllis Yochem, Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times, 12 Feb. 2005
