roadrunner

noun

road·​run·​ner ˈrōd-ˌrə-nər 

: a largely terrestrial bird (Geococcyx californianus) of the cuckoo family that has a long tail and a crest, is a speedy runner, and inhabits arid regions from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico

also : a closely related bird (G. velox) of Mexico and Central America

Illustration of roadrunner

Examples of roadrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanks to thoughtful landscaping, the gardens now attract an increasing variety of local fauna, including birds and roadrunners, adding even more life to the experience. —Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

The Sonoran Desert, which covers much of the southwestern United States, is a vast expanse of arid earth where cartoonish entities—roadrunners, tumbleweeds, telephone-pole-tall succulents—make occasional appearances. —Alice Gregory, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Bennett pounded out a game-high 11 hits and that doesn’t count the first solid hit on Edmonton roadrunner Connor McDavid, spilling McDavid as the Oilers rush went offside at the Panthers line. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024

A week ago, in Barcelona, Nadal basically called it a day after losing the first set to Alex de Minaur, the increasingly powerful Australian roadrunner who reached the top 10 earlier this year. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for roadrunner

• forerunner
• brunner
• gunnar
• gunner
• runner
• tonner

Kids Definition

roadrunner

noun

road·​run·​ner ˈrō-ˌdrən-ər 

: a long-tailed ground-dwelling bird of the southwestern U.S. that usually travels by running

called also chaparral bird, chaparral cock