American pipit

noun

: a pipit (Anthus rubescens) that inhabits open areas of North America and Asia and has brown upperparts, buff underparts usually with streaks, and dark-colored legs
American pipits strutted like chickens and bobbed their tails while feeding in the fields and along the roadsides.James M. McCarty, Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 27 Mar. 2008

called also (British) buff-bellied pipit

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of American pipit was in 1839

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near American pipit

Cite this Entry

“American pipit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20pipit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!