wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family (Troglodytidae) of small typically brownish oscine singing birds

especially : a very small widely distributed bird (Troglodytes troglodytes) that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Illustration of wren

• wren 1

Examples of wren in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Temperate songbirds, including cardinals, bluebirds, wrens and blackbirds, have two main categories of vocalizations: songs and calls. —Sofia Marie Haley, The Conversation, 27 May 2025

It was written that the wren won, but the sparrow was never notified. —Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Tibbles and her feral offspring swiftly exterminated the island’s endemic Lyall’s wren — a flightless, songbird that had evolved without mammalian predators. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

The Northern house wren is considered a rather plain and drab-looking brown bird with a thin bill. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wrenne, from Old English wrenna; akin to Old High German rentilo wren

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wren

• cactus wren
• Carolina wren

Rhymes for wren

• ben
• bren
• chen
• den
• en
• gen
• glen
• hen
• jen
• ken
• men
• pen

Kids Definition

wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family of small mostly brown singing birds with short rounded wings and a short tail that points upward

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Biographical Definition

Wren

biographical name

ˈren 

Sir Christopher 1632–1723 English architect