bird's nest

American  

noun

1. nest.

2. Angling. backlash.

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bird's-nest British  

verb

1. (intr) to search for the nests of birds in order to collect the eggs

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Etymology

Origin of bird's nest

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Some ingredients commonly found in Chinese fine dining include qi-boosting gelatinous fish maw, collagen-rich bird’s nest and nutrient-dense sea cucumber.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

It’s mostly not acceptable to go about daily life dressed as a matchbox or wearing a bird’s nest, rubbish, or lobster claws on one’s head, even if it is designed by Dior.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Now, TV is so loaded with running mascara and bird’s nest hair that it’s difficult to tell shows apart.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2025

Each tree house looks like something different — a bird’s nest, a U.F.O., a steel dragonfly.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2023

Matthew pushed his sunglasses to the top of his bird’s nest of hair.

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson