sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō 

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō

1

: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (family Passeridae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

sparrowlike

ˈsper-(ˌ)ō-ˌlīk 

-ə-ˌlīk;

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk

-rə-ˌlīk

adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Biologist Fabiola ‘Fabby’ Baeza-Tarin and an unexpected team work together to protect the sparrows, their shrinking habitat and the headwaters of the Everglades. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025

Both species of sparrows return to their more northern summer breeding habitats starting in late April. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025

My algorithm now suggests various surgeries and sparrow semen serums to look more … like you, Till. —Betty Gilpin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025

In the book, Douglas recounted how Speck found an injured sparrow who had flown into his jail cell. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sparrow

• chipping sparrow
• English sparrow
• grasshopper sparrow
• house sparrow
• song sparrow
• sparrow hawk
• tree sparrow
• white-crowned sparrow
• white-throated sparrow

Rhymes for sparrow

• aero
• faro
• garo
• marrow
• narrow
• pharaoh
• taro
• bolero
• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈspar-ō 

1

: any of several small songbirds that have usually brownish or grayish feathers and are related to the finches

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (as the song sparrow) that resemble the true sparrows