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kingbird

[ king-burd ]
/ ˈkɪŋˌbɜrd /
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noun

any of several American tyrant flycatchers of the genus Tyrannus, especially T. tyrannus(eastern kingbird ), of North America, known for their pugnacious disposition toward predators.

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Also called bee martin.

Origin of kingbird

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; king + bird

Words nearby kingbird

kinetoscope, kinetosis, kinfolk, king, king bee, kingbird, kingbolt, King Charles spaniel, king closer, king cobra, King Cotton
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

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British Dictionary definitions for kingbird

kingbird
/ (ˈkɪŋˌbɜːd) /

noun

any of several large American flycatchers of the genus Tyrannus, esp T. tyrannus (eastern kingbird or bee martin)
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
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