wren
any of numerous small, active songbirds of the family Troglodytidae, especially Troglodytes troglodytes, of the Northern Hemisphere, having dark-brown plumage barred with black and a short, upright tail.: Compare house wren, marsh wren, rock wren, winter wren.
any of various similar, unrelated birds, especially any of several Old World warblers.
Origin of wren
1Words Nearby wren
Other definitions for Wren (2 of 3)
a member of the Wrens.
Origin of Wren
2Other definitions for Wren (3 of 3)
Sir Christopher, 1632–1723, English architect.
Percival Christopher, 1885–1941, English novelist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wren in a sentence
Mother fairy wrens sang while incubating their eggs, even though it would have made more sense to keep quiet to avoid attracting predators.
Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs | Lesley Evans Ogden | September 16, 2021 | Science NewsColombelli-Négrel and colleagues’ earlier studies of unhatched fairy wrens showed a slowed heart rate in response to repeated sounds of their own species, but not others.
Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs | Lesley Evans Ogden | September 16, 2021 | Science Newswren and Janzo unleash a menace so Garret and Zed go on a hunt.
What to watch on Thursday: ‘Monster in the Shadows’ on Peacock | Anying Guo | August 26, 2021 | Washington PostThey probably wouldn’t allow another wren pair to nest there.
On the house: Wrens are nesting in my backyard bird box. I couldn’t be happier. | John Kelly | July 7, 2021 | Washington Post“The market is still pretty convinced we’re going to see good news on both fronts, it’s just not sure when,” wren said.
As an example, on the street yesterday I found a Winter wren.
It is part of the clock-tower wing of the royal residence, designed by Sir Christopher wren in the 17th century.
Their son, wren, was born on March 9, 2010, shortly after noon.
Home Birth: Increasingly Popular, But Dangerous | Michelle Goldberg | June 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTWith every breath, wren made a cooing noise, but Jones looked online and saw that lots of newborns make funny sounds.
Home Birth: Increasingly Popular, But Dangerous | Michelle Goldberg | June 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMrs. wren glanced at the small person whose breakfast she had interrupted.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyThe wren Building, named in his honor, was constructed by 1698 and it is the oldest academic structure still in existence.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeyThe original design of wren had to be altered slightly because of the terrain of the country-side.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. TorpeyThe wren, to seek for which used to be the sport dedicated to the holytide, was left unpursued and unslain.
Peveril of the Peak | Sir Walter ScottAnd the song and story which that thoughtful priest put into the ritual, was the story of the wren.
Prairie Smoke (Second Edition, Revised) | Melvin Randolph Gilmore
British Dictionary definitions for wren (1 of 3)
/ (rɛn) /
any small brown passerine songbird of the chiefly American family Troglodytidae, esp Troglodytes troglodytes (wren in Britain, winter wren in the US and Canada). They have a slender bill and feed on insects
any of various similar birds of the families Muscicapidae (Australian warblers), Xenicidae (New Zealand wrens), etc
Origin of wren
1British Dictionary definitions for Wren (2 of 3)
/ (rɛn) /
history informal (in Britain and certain other nations) a member of the former Women's Royal Naval Service
Origin of Wren
2British Dictionary definitions for Wren (3 of 3)
/ (rɛn) /
Sir Christopher. 1632–1723, English architect. He designed St Paul's Cathedral and over 50 other London churches after the Great Fire as well as many secular buildings
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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