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

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

Interestingly, the study noted that the southern house wren (Troglodytes musculus) — despite being the island’s most abundant resident species — was able to avoid the viper’s deadly fangs. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Feathers: Swallows, wrens, and flycatchers often line their nests with feathers. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 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