rookery

[ rook-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural rook·er·ies.

1. a breeding place or colony of gregarious birds or animals, as penguins and seals.
2. a colony of rooks.
3. a place where rooks congregate to breed.
4. a crowded tenement house.

rookery

/ ˈrʊkərɪ /

noun

1. a group of nesting rooks
2. a clump of trees containing rooks' nests
3. 1. a breeding ground or communal living area of certain other species of gregarious birds or mammals, esp penguins or seals
   2. a colony of any such creatures
4. archaic.
   an overcrowded slum tenement building or area of housing

rookery

/ rk′ə-rē /

1. A place where certain birds or animals, such as crows, penguins, and seals, gather to breed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rookery¹

First recorded in 1715–25; rook ¹ + -ery

Example Sentences

In my book I call them “Ghost Rookeries”—there are so many empty rookeries.

From Nautilus

The polished wood-paneled Rookery Hotel calls itself “Soho in the East” and frankly, that undersells it.

From The Daily Beast

He had watched such streaming companies start forth from the old rookery, ever since his boyhood.

From Project Gutenberg

Those that have to stay on the rookery lie flat on their back and fan themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole gathering is called a 'rookery,' though there are no rooks or other birds around.

From Project Gutenberg

The bachelors, which are young male seals five years old and under, leave the rookery alone.

From Project Gutenberg

There isn't a sea-catch on the rookery that hasn't had from ten to twenty fights already this year.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hatchery