ornithology

noun

or·​ni·​thol·​o·​gy ˌȯr-nə-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural ornithologies

1

: a branch of zoology dealing with birds

2

: a treatise on ornithology

ornithological

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or less commonly ornithologic

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-jik 

ornithologically

ˌȯr-nə-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

ornithologist

ˌȯr-nə-ˈthä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of ornithology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The clunky term extra-pair copulation, which had appeared in the ornithology literature only a handful of times prior, suddenly exploded in use. —Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Mary Farr holds a B.S. in Biology from Georgia College and State University with a concentration in ornithology. —Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025

Risen delivers a marvellous account of the Hiss case, with its many plot twists, involving accusations about a fake typewriter, microfilm hidden in a pumpkin, and the intricacies of ornithology. —Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

The ornithology curator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County placed handfuls of feathers between two small screens and clipped them together with zip ties. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ornithologia, from ornith- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ornithology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

ornithology

noun

or·​ni·​thol·​o·​gy ˌȯr-nə-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

: a branch of zoology dealing with birds