catbird

[kat-burd]

noun

1. any of several American or Australian birds having catlike cries, especially Dumetella carolinensis gray catbird, of North America.

catbird

/ ˈkætˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of several North American songbirds of the family Mimidae (mockingbirds), esp Dumetella carolinensis, whose call resembles the mewing of a cat

2. any of several Australian bowerbirds of the genera Ailuroedus and Scenopoeetes, having a catlike call

Word History and Origins

Origin of catbird¹

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10; cat ( def. ) + bird

Example Sentences

These people and institutions are in the catbird seat of economic policy now.

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Enchanted by catbirds singing near her new home, she signed up for an ornithology class and became a regular at Warner Park, a recreation center and urban wildlife refuge.

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A year later, it is Mr. Trump who sits in the catbird seat with a massive polling lead in Iowa and it is Mr. DeSantis who is looking to reignite his star power.

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Chimney swift, northern flicker, fish crow, killdeer, Baltimore oriole and gray catbird among them.

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Sen. Murray will be in the catbird seat making decisions on what legislation is included in the appropriations bills for the benefit of the country and our state.

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