1
a
: a predominantly fawn-colored Old World bird (Garrulus glandarius) of the crow family with a black-and-white crest and wings marked with black, white, and blue
b
: any of various usually crested and largely blue chiefly New World birds that are related to the common Old World jay and have roving habits and harsh voices compare blue jay
2
3
: a moderate blue
1
: the letter j
2
Synonyms
Examples of jay in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a snooty little jay who refused to wear anything but designer labels
the stranger's incessant chatter was annoying, and she was the kind of jay that I didn't have in mind when I entered the park
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
The alarm calls of Siberian jays can be said to have been partially translated.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Or the majestic turquoise mottled eggs of the blue jay?
—Jules Howard, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
Their acorns are also a favorite food of woodpeckers and jays, and their large branches and cavities provide birds with shelter and nesting sites.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jay 
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Noun
Two plush-crested jay chicks can now be seen at the aviary at the Milwaukee County Zoo.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
The alarm calls of Siberian jays can be said to have been partially translated.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Or the majestic turquoise mottled eggs of the blue jay?
—Jules Howard, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
Their acorns are also a favorite food of woodpeckers and jays, and their large branches and cavities provide birds with shelter and nesting sites.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for jay
Dictionary Entries Near jay
Cite this Entry
“Jay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jay. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Jay
biographical name
John 1745–1829 American jurist and statesman; 1st chief justice U.S. Supreme Court (1789–95)
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