Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

avian

American  
[ey-vee-uhn] / ˈeɪ vi ən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to birds.


avian British  
/ ˈeɪvɪən /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a bird

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

avian Scientific  
/ āvē-ən /
  1. Relating to birds.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of avian

First recorded in 1865–70; avi- + -an

Explanation

Anything avian relates to birds. Avian flu is the bird flu, which birds can pass to humans. Someone who flies a plane is an aviator, and that may help you remember that avian things have to do with birds. Feathers are part of avian anatomy. Laying eggs is the avian method of reproduction. Bird-watchers are avian experts who know how to tell birds apart. Ornithologists are also avian experts: they’re scientists who study birds.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing avian

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

News of Jackie’s death sent ripples of mourning through her fan base, with thousands taking to social media to express their condolences and praise the avian matriarch.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 14, 2026

Thousands of fans who have watched the couple bond and raise chicks — including two this season — are now grieving the avian icon.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 11, 2026

As avian flu spread like wildfire through the industry, poultry farmers were forced to cull 26 million birds, leading prices to skyrocket.

From Barron's Aug. 5, 2026

Shoppers could hardly find eggs in stores early last year, a period when producers said avian flu had decimated the hen population.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 30, 2026

“Here you go, as many books as you could want on the topic of avian wonder.”

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training