roadrunner

[ rohd-ruhn-er ]

/ ˈroʊdˌrʌn ər /

Save This Word!

noun

either of two large terrestrial cuckoos of the genus Geococcyx of arid regions of the western U.S., Mexico, and Central America, especially G. californianus(greater roadrunner ).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called chaparral cock.

Origin of roadrunner

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; road + runner

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

How to use roadrunner in a sentence

Wile E. Coyote is running after the Road Runner and eventually finds he has run off a cliff.
Vancouver Real-Estate Market Unlikely Victim of China Slowdown|Vikram Mansharamani|November 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If any cattle ever come through here, stampedin', that herd wouldn't have enough left of it to supply a road runner's breakfast!
Square Deal Sanderson|Charles Alden Seltzer
Then the road-runner leisurely proceeds to devour the suicide.
Wealth of the World's Waste Places and Oceania |Jewett Castello Gilson
Representation of the totemic chaparrel cock or road-runner.
Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained|James Stevenson

Now, the little road-runner would often try to slip into the chicken yard when no one was looking.
Little Tales of The Desert|Ethel Twycross Foster
Mr. Road-runner, meanwhile, had retreated to a safe distance and was much interested in all that was happening.
Little Tales of The Desert|Ethel Twycross Foster

British Dictionary definitions for roadrunner

roadrunner

/ (ˈrəʊdˌrʌnə) /

noun

a terrestrial crested bird, Geococcyx californianus, of Central and S North America, having a streaked plumage and long tail: family Cuculidae (cuckoos)Also called: chaparral cock

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