sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō 

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō

1

: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (family Passeridae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

sparrowlike

ˈsper-(ˌ)ō-ˌlīk 

-ə-ˌlīk;

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk

-rə-ˌlīk

adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The shelter did not specify how many animals were transported to Springfield, but pictures shared by the organization showed that cats, dogs and even a sparrow were up for adoption. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2024

Last year, the Navy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service celebrated delisting the San Clemente Bell’s sparrow and four plant species — the largest group delisting from population recovery in the 50-year history of the Endangered Species Act. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

The mics picked up their unspoken thoughts along with every muffled thump and strum, while Lenker pondered flowers, blood, potatoes, sparrows, apples, lovers, loss, skin, memory. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

In winter, goldfinches, sparrows, and juncos feast on their seeds. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sparrow

• chipping sparrow
• English sparrow
• grasshopper sparrow
• house sparrow
• song sparrow
• sparrow hawk
• tree sparrow
• white-crowned sparrow
• white-throated sparrow

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈspar-ō 

1

: any of several small songbirds that have usually brownish or grayish feathers and are related to the finches

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (as the song sparrow) that resemble the true sparrows