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.
In contrast, sparrows, which depend on human food waste, nearly vanished from high-rise areas. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 When the pyrotechnics were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sparrow populations bounced back. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 July 2025 The extermination campaign ended up decimating the sparrow population and damaging the entire ecosystem. Elizabeth Carlen, The Conversation, 3 July 2025 The sound of sparrows chirping on a rainy morning is punctuated by the occasional crackle of tires rolling on wet pavement. Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 28 May 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 21 Jul. 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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