mockingbird

[ mok-ing-burd ]

/ ˈmɒk ɪŋˌbɜrd /

noun

any of several gray, black, and white songbirds of the genus Mimus, especially M. polyglottos, of the U.S. and Mexico, noted for their ability to mimic the songs of other birds.

any of various related or similar birds, as Melanotis caerulescens (blue mockingbird), of Mexico.

Origin of mockingbird

1670–80, Americanism; mocking + bird

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

Examples from the Web for mockingbird

We know that Mockingbird, played by Adrianne Palicki, will be making an appearance, as well as the Absorbing Man.
The Leaner, Meaner Season 2 of ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’|Jason Lynch|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My hunch is that “Mockingbird” was packed with pairings on purpose.
Game of Thrones’ Ep. 7 ‘Mockingbird’ Recap: Conscious Coupling (and Uncoupling)|Andrew Romano|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Your first film role was in To Kill A Mockingbird, which was a very important film in 1962 during the Civil Rights Movement.
Robert Duvall on His Storied Career, His New Movie, and Why He’s Ditching the GOP|Marlow Stern|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Danza assigned his students reading that included To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and Julius Caesar.
Tony Danza on His New Book About Teaching, ‘Who’s the Boss,’ and ‘Twilight’|Ramin Setoodeh|September 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The Hunger Games is on the list (No. 3), as is To Kill a Mockingbird (No. 10).
Should This Woman's Books Be Banned?|Abigail Pesta|April 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Thrasher and Mockingbird at Rattlesnake's Playground teach veneral cure.
Seven Mohave Myths|A. L. Kroeber
The brown thrush, rival of the lark and mockingbird, seldom seeks the society of the blue jay.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 5 (of 14)|Elbert Hubbard
You stepped along like Hoky, my pal, and that's why I whistled; and you warbled the answer like a mockingbird.
Blacksheep! Blacksheep!|Meredith Nicholson
The nest of the mockingbird is a rather rough affair, built in a low tree or a bush.
The Children's Book of Birds|Olive Thorne Miller
In this country the mockingbird is the only regular night-singer we have.
Fresh Fields|John Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for mockingbird

mockingbird

/ (ˈmɒkɪŋˌbɜːd) /

noun

Australian any American songbird of the family Mimidae, having a long tail and grey plumage: noted for their ability to mimic the song of other birds

a small scrub bird, Atrichornis rufescens, noted for its mimicry

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

Word Origin and History for mockingbird

mockingbird

also mocking-bird, 1670s, from mocking (adj.), 1520s, from present participle of mock (v.) + bird (n.1). Earlier form was mock-bird (1640s).

mockingbird

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of mockingbird

Examples from the Web for mockingbird

mockingbird

noun

mockingbird