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

Cardinals, wrens, mockingbirds, and bluebirds primarily want a safe place to drink and splash around to clean their feathers. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Mountain bluebirds and house wrens readily accept appropriately sized nest boxes. — Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 May 2026

The nests also serve as sort of warehouses for any additional materials the birds might need to shore up their original nests, and lastly, nesting boxes that appear occupied keep other cavity dwelling birds from moving into the wrens’ territory. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Among the birds mostly likely to be flying over Michigan at night are Northern house wrens, Forster's terns, blue-gray gnatcatchers, pectoral sandpipers, American tree sparrows and Caspian terns. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Apr. 2026

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