partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

dialectal ˈpa-trij

plural partridge or partridges

1

: any of various typically medium-sized stout-bodied Old World gallinaceous birds (Perdix, Alectoris, and related genera) with variegated plumage that are often hunted as game

2

: any of various related birds (such as the American ruffed grouse or bobwhite) resembling the Old World partridges in size, habits, or value as game

Illustration of partridge

• partridge 1

Examples of partridge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red-legged partridges have been a favorite game bird in Europe for millennia; its bones even show up in Paleolithic settlements. —Maggie Koerth, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025

The partridge gets exposed on the blitz. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025

The partridge, fortunately, appears to have passed out under the pear tree. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

The evening's menu included ingredients from the royal estates, including Windsor partridge. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English partrich, modification of Anglo-French perdriz, alteration of Old French perdix, from Latin perdic-, perdix, from Greek perdik-, perdix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for partridge

• cartridge

Kids Definition

partridge

noun

par·​tridge ˈpär-trij 

plural partridge or partridges

: any of several plump Old World birds related to the common chicken and often hunted as game

also : any of various North American birds (as a bobwhite or ruffed grouse) that are related to and resemble partridges of the Old World