tanager

noun

tan·​a·​ger ˈta-ni-jər 

: any of numerous chiefly tropical American oscine birds (family Thraupidae) that are often brightly colored and inhabit mostly woodlands compare scarlet tanager

Examples of tanager in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The two discuss last rites and summer tanagers. —Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025

Many types of warblers, the western tanager, and the snow bunting are all considered medium-distance. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025

The organization’s extensive landscape provides habitat for various resident and migratory birds–woodpeckers, waxwings, nuthatches, warblers, buntings, and tanagers, to name just a few. —Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 22 May 2025

Alongside wading birds like the roseate spoonbill and striated heron, visitors can also look forward to their fair share of passerines, with potential appearances from the blue-gray tanager and scrub blackbird. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin tanagra, modification of Portuguese tangará, any of various birds of the suboscine family Pipridae, from Tupi tagará, taŋgará

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tanager

• scarlet tanager

Rhymes for tanager

• manager

Kids Definition

tanager

noun

tan·​a·​ger ˈtan-i-jər 

: any of numerous small mostly tropical American birds that are often brightly colored compare scarlet tanager