snowbird

noun

snow·bird ˈsnō-ˌbərd

Synonyms of snowbird next

: any of several birds (such as a junco or fieldfare) seen chiefly in winter

: one who travels to warm climes for the winter

Did you know?

Snowbird has been in use since the late 1600s, but it has only been applied to humans since the early 1900s. It was first used to describe men who enlisted in the armed forces to get food and clothing during the winter months and then deserted as the warm spring weather approached. Not long after, the term was applied to the northern laborers who would flock down south to work as the cold, harsh winter set in up north. Today, northerners of all kinds, from vacationers to retirees, can be seen migrating as soon as the first frost arrives.

Examples of snowbird in a Sentence

Like many of the state's snowbirds, they live in Florida from November through March.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

James Deering, a Chicago tycoon whose father co-founded a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, was one of these elite snowbirds. —

Julio Capó Jr. & Helena Gomez, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024 In Florida, another popular snowbird destination, roadways see a surge of vehicle accidents during the snowbird season. —

Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2024 Belize is an affordable tropical paradise in the Caribbean, home to thousands of retirees, snowbirds, and entrepreneurs. —

Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 That was enough to satisfy Drimmer and the nearly 300 other residents at her 55-plus community, many of them snowbirds and retirees living off Social Security. —

Rebecca Liebson, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for snowbird