meadowlark

noun

mead·​ow·​lark ˈme-dō-ˌlärk How to pronounce meadowlark (audio)
-də-
: any of several American songbirds (genera Sturnella and Leistes of the family Icteridae) that are streaked brown above and in northernmost forms have a yellow breast marked with a black crescent

Illustration of meadowlark

Illustration of meadowlark

Examples of meadowlark in a Sentence

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.
The overall goal is to sustain and enhance sandplain grassland habitat, a habitat that many species rely on to survive and reproduce, including grassland nesting birds like the upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, eastern meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2024 Black terns and eastern meadowlarks have also dwindled. John Myers, Twin Cities, 26 May 2024 Western meadowlarks, prevalent in the central and western U.S.; three-fourths have disappeared. David Schechter, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2024 Birders will wear out their binoculars scanning for the dozens of species found at the park including meadowlark, summer tanager, northern shoveler and wood duck. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meadowlark 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meadowlark was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Meadowlark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meadowlark. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

meadowlark

noun
mead·​ow·​lark -ˌlärk How to pronounce meadowlark (audio)
: any of several North American songbirds that are largely brown and buff above with a yellow breast having a black V-shaped mark across it

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