blackbird

American  

[blak-burd] / ˈblækˌbɜrd /

noun

blackbirds plural

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in blackbirding.

blackbird British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• blackbirds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of blackbird

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

Example Sentences

Expedition organizers Blackbird Mountain Guides on Wednesday said all staff in the group were professionally trained, and urged people to avoid speculating about the circumstances.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Blackbird managers did not respond to an email requesting comment Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

They relented, and by the time she had landed her first stage role in Blackbird at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 2005, they had come round to the idea.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

The closing night of the book tour also featured a special performance from Oscar Hartland, known for playing Neil the baby, who sung Blackbird by The Beatles from the show's final episode.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

Whether the broken ship was Blackbird, one of Stannis Baratheon’s sellsails, or some passing trader, the crew of the Storm Crow had not been able to discern.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin