meadowlark

[ med-oh-lahrk ]

/ ˈmɛd oʊˌlɑrk /

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.

Nearby words

meadow rue, meadow saffron, meadow salsify, meadow vole, meadowland, meadowlark, meadows's syndrome, meadowsweet, meads, meadville, meager

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

And for once Mr. Meadowlark couldn't wait for him to finish.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink|Arthur Scott Bailey
The Omahas also put words of their language to the notes of the meadowlark.
Prairie Smoke (Second Edition, Revised)|Melvin Randolph Gilmore
He said it had a high, shrill whistle and flew like a meadowlark.
Riverby|John Burroughs
Once in a while, as he hunts, he calls peent—a sharp cry that reminds you of the meadowlark's nasal call-note.
Birds Every Child Should Know|Neltje Blanchan

Mr. Red-winged Blackbird asked him—meaning that in his opinion Mr. Meadowlark had no reason to be ashamed of his own voice.
The Tale of Bobby Bobolink|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for meadowlark

meadowlark

/ (ˈmɛdəʊˌlɑːk) /

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