wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family (Troglodytidae) of small typically brownish oscine singing birds

especially : a very small widely distributed bird (Troglodytes troglodytes) that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Illustration of wren

• wren 1

Examples of wren in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The nests also serve as sort of warehouses for any additional materials the birds might need to shore up their original nests, and lastly, nesting boxes that appear occupied keep other cavity dwelling birds from moving into the wrens’ territory. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Nest building is nearly complete, and for two nights an adult house wren has spent the night inside the wren nest box. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026

Smaller, nondescript sparrows and wrens steered clear rather than risk attack by the larger cardinals. —Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

In Southeastern states, house wrens and sparrows, eastern bluebirds, tree swallows, Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, and white-breasted nuthatches use birdhouses. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wrenne, from Old English wrenna; akin to Old High German rentilo wren

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing wren

• cactus wren
• Carolina wren

Rhymes for wren

• ben
• bren
• chen
• den
• en
• gen
• glen
• hen
• jen
• ken
• men
• pen

Kids Definition

wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family of small mostly brown singing birds with short rounded wings and a short tail that points upward

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Biographical Definition

Wren

biographical name

ˈren 

Sir Christopher 1632–1723 English architect