sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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 How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
-ə-ˌlīk;
ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk
-rə-ˌlīk
adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for sparrow 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sparrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sparrow

Cite this Entry

“Sparrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparrow. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun
spar·​row ˈspar-ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sparrow

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