Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for avian. Search instead for avians.
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.


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.

The civil antitrust lawsuit would target companies that significantly hiked egg prices in 2024 and 2025 due to a supply shortage attributed to avian flu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

What has helped is that the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has faded.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

The company said the falling prices reflected improved supply as avian flu subsided and average flock sizes increased.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

So while soccer is part of the book’s narrative, the memoir is as much about the sport as “To Kill a Mockingbird” is about avian homicide.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

It’s Saturday and the time has come to leave my free lodgings and neurotic avian roommate.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "avian" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com