grosbeak

American  

[grohs-beek] / ˈgroʊsˌbik /

noun

1. any of various finches having a thick, conical bill.

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grosbeak British  

/ ˈɡrɒs-, ˈɡrəʊsˌbiːk /

noun

1. any of various finches, such as Pinicola enucleator ( pine grosbeak ), that have a massive powerful bill

2. any of various mostly tropical American buntings, such as the cardinal and pyrrhuloxia, the males of which have brightly coloured plumage

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Etymology

Origin of grosbeak

First recorded in 1670–80; partial translation of French grosbec “large bill”; gross ( def. ), beak

Example Sentences

The rose-breasted grosbeak is there too, and the red-eyed vireo, and the indigo bunting.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2023

The area is home to woodpeckers like the red-breasted sapsucker and songbirds like the black-headed grosbeak, which whistles its warbled song in the shade.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 15, 2021

“Why would something like this bother me?” she asked, gesturing toward the first eye-catching grosbeak impressions Ms. Jones had up.

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2017

“I’m not sure if pine grosbeak are irruptive, but maybe that is part of the equation as they only show up in the valley like this once every 10 years.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 31, 2015

The chipmunk’s shrill voice cut through the silence, and its claws scrabbled up the dresser as the cat half sprang—but recollected himself in time and slipped but of the door after the grosbeak instead.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford