wren

noun \ ˈren \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of wren

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

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Recent Examples of wren from the Web

The paper looked at about a dozen songbird species, including the American robin, red-faced warbler, and other arboreal species, as well as ground-dwelling birds like the house wren and white-breasted nuthatch.

— National Geographic, "Birds That Leave Nest Too Late Can Endanger Their Families," 25 June 2018
As this wren has built a giant nest for her brood, complete with leftover bits of Christmas evergreen wreath and even some wayward dental floss, my own nest is shrinking.

— lynn petrak, chicagotribune.com, "Petrak: Mothering instincts — human and bird — in play during nesting season," 31 May 2018
Somewhere far off a marsh wren sang, but never showed itself.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Cowan’s Ford Wildlife Refuge is a perfect spot for leisurely birding | Charlotte Observer," 4 May 2018
Moving on the ground is more dangerous than moving in trees, so house wrens have higher chances of mortality.

— National Geographic, "Birds That Leave Nest Too Late Can Endanger Their Families," 25 June 2018
The tiny camera in our nestbox has given us an inside view of this miracle of life, and also some delightful insight into the behavior of the house wren.

— ernie cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Visit the High Sierra with a trip to Palomar Mountain," 11 May 2018
Highlights from Sandy Neck in Barnstable included a yellow-throated warbler, a clapper rail, 10 marsh wrens, a seaside sparrow, and 28 saltmarsh sparrows.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Bird sightings on Cape Cod," 4 June 2018
The female wren spends her nights on the eggs, occasionally turning them and changing her position, presumably to ensure even heat on her precious little packages.

— ernie cowan outdoors, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Annual spring ritual of grunion arriving on beaches," 28 Apr. 2018
Considered abundant in Western North Carolina in the late 1880s, the wren has vanished from the Carolinas and most of the East.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Carolina birders took notes for 150 years. Many of the species they saw are gone. | Charlotte Observer," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wren.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.