meadowlark

[med-oh-lahrk]

noun

any of several American songbirds of the genus Sturnella, of the family Icteridae, especially S. magna (eastern meadowlark) and S. neglecta (western meadowlark), having a brownish and black back and wings and a yellow breast, noted for their clear, tuneful song.

Origin of meadowlark

First recorded in 1605–15; meadow + lark¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for meadowlark

Historical Examples of meadowlark

And Mr. Meadowlark couldn't deny it; for he knew that it was true.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink
Arthur Scott Bailey
"Anyhow, he sings as well as ever," Mr. Meadowlark declared.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink
Arthur Scott Bailey
Mr. Meadowlark had explained all this in a most eager manner.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink
Arthur Scott Bailey
And for once Mr. Meadowlark couldn't wait for him to finish.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink
Arthur Scott Bailey
"Your husband is one of the best," Mr. Meadowlark told her hopefully.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink
Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for meadowlark

meadowlark

noun

either of two North American yellow-breasted songbirds, Sturnella magna (eastern meadowlark) or S. neglecta (western meadowlark): family Icteridae (American orioles)

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