plural vireos
: any of various small insectivorous American oscine birds (family Vireonidae, especially genus Vireo) that are chiefly olivaceous and grayish in color
Examples of vireo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar success has been reported by a cowbird control program at Fort Hood, Texas, which has become a retreat for the black-capped vireo.
—
Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
In the early 1980s, half the vireo nests there were parasitized.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Middlesex County: Several Cape May warblers at Waitt’s Mount in Malden, a lark sparrow at Danehy Park in Cambridge, a laughing gull at the Cambridge Reservoir in Waltham, and a Philadelphia vireo at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
—BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Benner says that important conservation changes have been made due to bird recordings, like the decision to restore bird habitat in the Devil’s Gate Dam restoration project after recordings of an endangered species, the least Bell’s vireo, were made at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: An American bittern in Aquinnah, a Philadelphia vireo near Daggetts Pond in West Tisbury, and five common ravens in Tisbury.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
The company planted native shrubs and trees such as willows and cottonwoods to create habitat for endangered or threatened species such as the least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: a Black skimmer at Sarson’s Island, 2 Common ravens at Menemsha, and a White-eyed vireo. Nantucket: a rare western Cassin’s kingbird – one of fewer than five previous state records – in addition to a migrant Hudsonian godwit at Sesachacha Pond.
—Jesús Marrero Suárez, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022
Ecotourism opportunities abound across the island, with the Noronha elaenia and Noronha vireo serving as two endemic avian species for visiting birders, while the island’s wealth of picturesque beaches offer incredible opportunity for snorkeling and diving.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 July 2022
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Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
In the early 1980s, half the vireo nests there were parasitized.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Middlesex County: Several Cape May warblers at Waitt’s Mount in Malden, a lark sparrow at Danehy Park in Cambridge, a laughing gull at the Cambridge Reservoir in Waltham, and a Philadelphia vireo at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.
—BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Benner says that important conservation changes have been made due to bird recordings, like the decision to restore bird habitat in the Devil’s Gate Dam restoration project after recordings of an endangered species, the least Bell’s vireo, were made at Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: An American bittern in Aquinnah, a Philadelphia vireo near Daggetts Pond in West Tisbury, and five common ravens in Tisbury.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023
The company planted native shrubs and trees such as willows and cottonwoods to create habitat for endangered or threatened species such as the least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2023
Martha’s Vineyard: a Black skimmer at Sarson’s Island, 2 Common ravens at Menemsha, and a White-eyed vireo. Nantucket: a rare western Cassin’s kingbird – one of fewer than five previous state records – in addition to a migrant Hudsonian godwit at Sesachacha Pond.
—Jesús Marrero Suárez, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022
Ecotourism opportunities abound across the island, with the Noronha elaenia and Noronha vireo serving as two endemic avian species for visiting birders, while the island’s wealth of picturesque beaches offer incredible opportunity for snorkeling and diving.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 31 July 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vireo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin, a small bird, from virēre to be green
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Vireo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vireo. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
vireo
noun
vir·eo
ˈvir-ē-ˌō 
plural vireos
: any of various small insect-eating American songbirds that are chiefly olive-green or grayish in color
More from Merriam-Webster on vireo
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vireo
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