Illustration of dodo
- dodo 1a
plural dodoes or dodos
1
a
: an extinct heavy flightless bird (Raphus cucullatus synonym Didus ineptus of the family Columbidae) of the island of Mauritius that was larger than a turkey and was related to the pigeon
b
: an extinct flightless bird (Raphus solitarius) of the island of Réunion similar to and closely related to the dodo
2
a
: one hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person
Synonyms
Examples of dodo in a Sentence
That dodo can't do anything right.
I feel like a complete dodo.
Recent Examples on the Web
The company's ambitious goal is to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the Tasmanian tiger.
—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The start-up, which also has its sights set on reviving the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger, is looking to enhance biodiversity, restore ecosystems’ balance, and benefit the general animal kingdom with its de-extinction projects.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
The wink and nod to help out a fellow manufacturer era seems to be going the way of the dodo in NASCAR.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The resulting animal will be a close approximation of a thylacine—or, in the company’s other de-extinction projects, a modern woolly mammoth or dodo.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dodo 
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Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The start-up, which also has its sights set on reviving the dodo bird and the Tasmanian tiger, is looking to enhance biodiversity, restore ecosystems’ balance, and benefit the general animal kingdom with its de-extinction projects.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025
The wink and nod to help out a fellow manufacturer era seems to be going the way of the dodo in NASCAR.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
The resulting animal will be a close approximation of a thylacine—or, in the company’s other de-extinction projects, a modern woolly mammoth or dodo.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dodo
Dictionary Entries Near dodo
Cite this Entry
“Dodo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dodo. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dodo
noun
do·do
ˈdōd-ō 
plural dodoes or dodos
1
: a large heavy flightless extinct bird related to the pigeons and formerly found on some of the islands of the Indian Ocean
2
a
: a person who is hopelessly behind the times
b
: a stupid person
Etymology
from Portuguese doudo, name given by Portuguese sailors to the bird, from doudo (adjective) "silly, stupid"
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