blackbird

[ blak-burd ]

/ ˈblækˌbɜrd /

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noun

a common European thrush, Turdus merula, the male of which is black with a yellow bill.

any of several American birds of the family Icteridae, having black plumage.Compare crow blackbird, red-winged blackbird, rusty blackbird.

any of several other unrelated birds having black plumage in either or both sexes.

History/Historical. a person, especially a Pacific Islander, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery abroad, usually in Australia.

verb (used with object)

to kidnap (a person), as in blackbirding.

verb (used without object)

to engage in blackbirding.

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Origin of blackbird

First recorded in 1480–90; earlier blacke bride;see black, bird

Words nearby blackbird

black bile, black-billed cuckoo, black-billed magpie, black bindweed, black birch, blackbird, blackbirder, blackbirding, black blizzard, Black Bloc, blackboard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use blackbird in a sentence

Senturia set up a company – Blackbird Projects – to pursue lawsuits.
Politics Report: That Bry, Senturia Story|Scott Lewis|February 19, 2022|Voice of San Diego
Krans’s favorite was the SR-71 Blackbird, a Cylon-ship of a craft, and the follow-on to the A-12 he’d one day search out.
A CIA spyplane crashed outside Area 51 a half-century ago. This explorer found it.|Sarah Scoles|January 5, 2021|Popular-Science
I was in a civil rights musical at that time, Fly Blackbird, and I met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and shook his hand.
‘To Be Takei’ Traces George Takei’s Journey From Japanese Internment Camps to Cultural Icon|Marlow Stern|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The male blackbird resumed his perch, his inky feathers drying in the bright sun as he continued his vigil.
Rise of Tallest New York Building at Ground Zero Signals Nation’s Rebirth From 9/11|Michael Daly|May 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Today Black is a senior vice president for Blackbird Technologies, a Virginia based security contractor.
Meet Mitt Romney’s Trusted Envoy to the Dark Side, Cofer Black|Eli Lake|April 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sing Blackbird is located at Sanderstrasse 11, 12047 Berlin.
A Hip Haven in Berlin|Molly Hannon|September 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Sing Blackbird is a rare gem, one where vintage apparel, delectable dolce, and vegan food elegantly collide.
A Hip Haven in Berlin|Molly Hannon|September 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Blackbird said that Grandfather Mole didn't leave enough anglep.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
After pondering over Mr. Blackbird's speech for a few moments he raised his head.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
And after thanking Mr. Blackbird for his advice, he turned away and burrowed out of sight.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Then Mr. Blackbird selected a good many choice tidbits here and there, which he bolted with gusto.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
Most of the feathered folk agreed that Mr. Blackbird ought not to have spokenp.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for blackbird

blackbird

/ (ˈblækˌbɜːd) /

noun

a common European thrush, Turdus merula, in which the male has a black plumage and yellow bill and the female is brown

any of various American orioles having a dark plumage, esp any of the genus Agelaius

history a person, esp a South Sea Islander, who was kidnapped and sold as a slave, esp in Australia

verb

(tr) (formerly) to kidnap and sell into slavery

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