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
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.
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
Dictionary Entries Near thunderbird
Cite this Entry
“Thunderbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thunderbird. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share