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• emu
  emu

  noun

  a large, flightless, ratite bird, Emu (Dromaius ) novaehollandiae, of Australia, resembling the ostrich but smaller and having a feathered head and neck and rudimentary wings.
• EMU
  EMU

  Also electromagnetic unit.
• e.m.u.
  e.m.u.

  abbreviation

  electromagnetic unit

emu

¹ American  

[ee-myoo] / ˈi myu /

noun

1. a large, flightless, ratite bird, Emu (Dromaius ) novaehollandiae, of Australia, resembling the ostrich but smaller and having a feathered head and neck and rudimentary wings.

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EMU ² American  

1. Also electromagnetic unit.

2. Aerospace. extravehicular mobility unit.

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EMU ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. European Monetary Union

2. Economic and Monetary Union

3. See e.m.u.

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emu ² British  

/ ˈiːmjuː /

noun

1. a large Australian flightless bird, Dromaius novaehollandiae, similar to the ostrich but with three-toed feet and grey or brown plumage: order Casuariiformes See also ratite

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e.m.u. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. electromagnetic unit

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EMU Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of electromagnetic unit

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Etymology

Origin of emu

1605–15; earlier emeu (in earliest E source emia, eme ), ultimately < Portuguese ema, attested in 1541 as a name for the cassowary (further origin obscure); the replacement of -a by -eu, etc., is unexplained

Explanation

An emu is a very large, flightless bird that is only slightly shorter than its close relative, the ostrich. You're likely to see emus if you travel around their native continent of Australia. Emus reign as the biggest bird in Australia, growing to a height of six feet or more as adults. These long-legged birds have soft brown feathers and relatively small wings that they flap as they run (sometimes sprinting at 30 miles per hour), though sadly, they're unable to take flight. Etymologists guess that emu comes from the Portuguese word for "ostrich," ema.

Example Sentences

Wetherbee reiterated what EMU coach Chris Creighton said in his postgame news conference, that there is “absolutely no place for this kind of incident” in the football program.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2023

While the Wolverines annually led the FBS in attendance, EMU sat last in consecutive seasons — averaging 4,267 fans per game in 2011, 3,923 in 2012 and 4,051 in 2013.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Chris Creighton became the first coach to post four seven-win seasons in EMU history.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 25, 2022

EMU played in one bowl game before his arrival.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 25, 2022

Critics point out,   however, that the economy is doing well outside of EMU, and they   point to public opinion polls that continue to show a majority of   Britons opposed to the euro.

From The 2004 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency