ornithology

[ awr-nuh-thol-uh-jee ]

/ ˌɔr nəˈθɒl ə dʒi /

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noun

the branch of zoology that deals with birds.

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Origin of ornithology

From the New Latin word ornithologia, dating back to 1645–55. See ornitho-, -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM ornithology

or·ni·tho·log·i·cal

[awr-nuh-thuh-loj-i-kuhl], /ˌɔr nə θəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, or·ni·tho·log·ic, adjectiveor·ni·tho·log·i·cal·ly, adverbor·ni·thol·o·gist, nounun·or·ni·tho·log·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ornithology in a sentence

In our view, although ornithology is now a relatively gender-balanced field, more women need to be promoted into senior leadership positions, so that they can lead key decisions on research directions, funding and student projects.
Few people knew female birds had unique songs—until women started studying them|By Omland, Rose & Odom/The Conversation|September 28, 2020|Popular-Science
In sober truth it might as well lay one open to the charge of being an ornithologist.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
And as for that Yankee ornithologist, he's hung himself with the Countess's corset—string—yes, he has!
In Search of the Unknown|Robert W. Chambers
To this list we must now add the name of the ornithologist Le Vaillant.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers|Jules Verne

Needless to state that in the monsoon the tank and the jhil are the happy hunting grounds of the ornithologist.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
In the United Provinces the only nest which the ornithologist can be sure of finding is that of the white-backed vulture.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar

British Dictionary definitions for ornithology

ornithology

/ (ˌɔːnɪˈθɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of birds, including their physiology, classification, ecology, and behaviour

Derived forms of ornithology

ornithological (ˌɔːnɪθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjectiveornithologically, adverbornithologist, noun

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

Scientific definitions for ornithology

ornithology

[ ôr′nə-thŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of birds.