oriole

[awr-ee-ohl, ohr-]

noun

1. any of several usually brightly colored, passerine birds of the family Oriolidae, of the Old World.

2. any of several brightly colored passerine birds of the family Icteridae, of the New World.

oriole

/ ˈɔːrɪˌəʊl /

noun

1. any songbird of the mainly tropical Old World family Oriolidae, such as Oriolus oriolus ( golden oriole ), having a long pointed bill and a mostly yellow-and-black plumage

2. any American songbird of the family Icteridae, esp those of the genus Icterus, such as the Baltimore oriole, with a typical male plumage of black with either orange or yellow

Word History and Origins

Origin of oriole¹

1770–80; < French oriol, Old French < Medieval Latin oriolus, variant of Latin aureolus golden, equivalent to aure ( us ) golden (derivative of aurum gold) + -olus -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of oriole¹

C18: from Medieval Latin oryolus, from Latin aureolus, diminutive of aureus, from aurum gold

Example Sentences

In addition the the great horned owl, the center has recently rescued orioles and barn owls from similar traps.

From Los Angeles Times

“I sometimes find it hard to enjoy a park hang with friends, because I’m hearing an oriole up above. So, in a way, it’s almost become debilitating and distracting.”

From Salon

There's also some evidence that an animal's diet can trigger the condition in some species, such as Baltimore orioles.

From National Geographic

The Scott’s oriole, a black-and-yellow bird inhabiting the Southwest and Mexico, will also receive a new moniker, which will sever ties to the U.S.

From New York Times

Fountains spout, hummingbirds and orioles dart and mountains rise in the background.

From Seattle Times