blackbird

[blak-burd]

noun

1. a common European thrush, Turdus merula, the male of which is black with a yellow bill.

2. any of several American birds of the family Icteridae, having black plumage.

3. any of several other unrelated birds having black plumage in either or both sexes.

4. History/Historical.,  a person, especially a Pacific Islander, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery abroad, usually in Australia.

verb (used with object)

1. to kidnap (a person), as in blackbirding.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in blackbirding.

blackbird

/ ˈblækˌbɜːd /

noun

1. a common European thrush, Turdus merula , in which the male has a black plumage and yellow bill and the female is brown

2. any of various American orioles having a dark plumage, esp any of the genus Agelaius

3. history a person, esp a South Sea Islander, who was kidnapped and sold as a slave, esp in Australia

verb

1. (tr) (formerly) to kidnap and sell into slavery

Word History and Origins

Origin of blackbird¹

First recorded in 1480–90; earlier blacke bride; black, bird

Example Sentences

Spring in 2024 was earlier than the average for 12 of the 13 spring events on record and was the earliest in the series from 1999 for both frogspawn appearing and blackbirds nesting.

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Infected insects can spread the deadly Usutu virus to blackbirds, raising fears for the famous songsters.

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The virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and has affected blackbird populations.

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Every morning, at this time of year, a red-winged blackbird greets me as I walk down the street.

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The threatened Swainson’s hawk will lose 10 acres of foraging habitat with the project, and the tricolored blackbird relies on nearby areas for food and its nesting materials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times