Illustration of roadrunner
roadrunner
noun
road·run·ner
ˈrōd-ˌrə-nər 
: a largely terrestrial bird (Geococcyx californianus) of the cuckoo family that has a long tail and a crest, is a speedy runner, and inhabits arid regions from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico
also
: a closely related bird (G. velox) of Mexico and Central America
Examples of roadrunner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Non-canid predators like roadrunners and grasshopper mice did not trigger the response at all.
—
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
However, there is one element that is unique to Coachella and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival — a custom logo of a palm tree and a roadrunner at the center of the wheel that light up when the sun goes down.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
As a seminal 1992 study from Copeia notes, non-canid predators (specifically roadrunners and grasshopper mice) were found not to elicit the blood-squirting response.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Microsoft’s additional two Abilene facilities announced Friday will bring the total number to 10 data center buildings, expected to supply a stunning 2.1 gigawatts of computing capacity from what was once a vast tract of mesquite shrub lands, home to coyote and roadrunners.
—Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2026
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Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
However, there is one element that is unique to Coachella and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival — a custom logo of a palm tree and a roadrunner at the center of the wheel that light up when the sun goes down.
—Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
As a seminal 1992 study from Copeia notes, non-canid predators (specifically roadrunners and grasshopper mice) were found not to elicit the blood-squirting response.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Microsoft’s additional two Abilene facilities announced Friday will bring the total number to 10 data center buildings, expected to supply a stunning 2.1 gigawatts of computing capacity from what was once a vast tract of mesquite shrub lands, home to coyote and roadrunners.
—Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roadrunner
Cite this Entry
“Roadrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadrunner. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roadrunner
noun
road·run·ner
ˈrō-ˌdrən-ər
: a long-tailed ground-dwelling bird of the southwestern U.S. that usually travels by running
called also chaparral bird, chaparral cock
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