sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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 How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
-ə-ˌlīk;
ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk
-rə-ˌlīk
adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for sparrow

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sparrow was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sparrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparrow. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun
spar·​row ˈspar-ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sparrow

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