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

Could some little sparrow have sought refuge from the sun behind the machine? — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

The birds are up with the sunrise — warblers, flycatchers, sparrows and towhees calling across the treetops. — ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

NurPhoto/Getty Images Drinking tea in the courtyard of The Dwarika’s hotel, surrounded by centuries-old Newari wood carvings, the twittering of sparrows, and the chattering of mynahs coming home to roost, feels surreally calm. — Nicola Chilton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

An animal’s croaking rides away with the wind, and two sparrows rise from the reeds. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026

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