thunderbird

noun

thun·​der·​bird ˈthən-dər-ˌbərd 

: a bird that causes lightning and thunder in American Indian myth

Examples of thunderbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When coming up with ideas for the layout, Wiggins drew on a napkin an old Ojibwe story about the area being the nest of the thunderbirds. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2024

The group's website shows leaders also wearing thunderbird pendants around their necks. —Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024

Like the totem poles, which often contain symbolic imagery depicted in family crests, the petroglyphs feature similar animals, such as killer whales, thunderbirds, salmon and ravens. —Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023

Figures typically represent clan crests, like a thunderbird, wolf, eagle or whale. —Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2022

One tale describes a struggle between a thunderbird and a whale that caused the earth to shake and the ocean to wash away people and homes. —Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2019

Students learned and lived in many of the existing buildings, which were in the shape of the mythological thunderbird. —Jen Fifield, azcentral, 16 June 2019

The new arena will be called the Menominee Nation Arena and feature the thunderbird, an important part of the tribe's history. —James B. Nelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2017

Tumwater Thunderbirds Bill Beattie (who was at Olympia for 22 seasons) takes over after Sid Otton retired after 49 years. —Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, 28 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thunderbird

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword