early bird

American  

noun

1. a person who rises at an early hour.

2. a person who arrives before others, as for the purpose of gaining some advantage.

   The early birds got the best seats for the play.

3. (initial capital letters) the first of the Intelsat series of communications satellites, orbited (1965) by Intelsat.

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Early Bird ¹ British  

noun

1. one of a number of communications satellites, the first of which was launched in 1965 into a stationary orbit and provided telephone channels between Europe and the US See also Intelsat

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early bird ² British  

noun

1. informal a person who rises early or arrives in good time

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Etymology

Origin of early bird

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Are you, like Lawler, an early bird up with the dawn?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Rick Miramontez is both a night owl and an early bird.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2024

“My character is like an early bird of women’s lib, which Bella becomes then too.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2024

The festival representative said "early bird tickets" had sold out "in rapid time", but all remaining tickets would be put on general sale on Friday.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2024

“The early bird gets the worm,” said Nala.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein