meadowlark

American  

[med-oh-lahrk] / ˈmɛd oʊˌlɑrk /

noun

1. 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.

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meadowlark British  

/ ˈmɛdəʊˌlɑːk /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of meadowlark

First recorded in 1605–15; meadow + lark ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

meadowlark

Give me the “American Idol” version of meadowlark songs.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

Marilyn Meador, a retired nurse in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted that a teenager in Florida had suggested that a bird she had photographed was a Western meadowlark, because of the tail-feather pattern.

From New York Times ● Dec. 9, 2022

The team wraps up the north at 9:36 A.M. with 124 species according to Zygmont, the keeper of the list, including the hard-won meadowlark, grouse and kinglet.

From Scientific American ● Sep. 15, 2021

One account says the meadowlark’s call repeats the word, so to encourage young Cheyenne children to speak they were fed meadowlark eggs.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 26, 2015

Thin as a twig, bright as a meadowlark.

From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate

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