snowbird

[snoh-burd]

noun

junco.

snow bunting.

Informal. a person who vacations in or moves to a warmer climate during cold weather.

Slang. cokehead.

Origin of snowbird

First recorded in 1665–75; snow + bird

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

Examples from the Web for snowbird

Historical Examples of snowbird

They were soon on their way back to the shore where they had left the Snowbird.
Dave Porter in the Far North
Edward Stratemeyer
They were soon beside the Snowbird, and the craft was headed for the school.
Dave Porter in the Far North
Edward Stratemeyer
Professor Deusenberry was seized with a determination to own the Snowbird.
Frank Merriwell's Triumph
Burt L. Standish
She would lead the Tempest to Osceolo, and herself ride the Snowbird.
The Sun Maid
Evelyn Raymond
Snowbird weighs one hundred and twenty pounds and is hard as steel.
The Voice of the Pack
Edison Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for snowbird

snowbird

noun

another name for the snow bunting

US slang a person addicted to cocaine, or sometimes heroin

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 snowbird

also snow-bird, from 1680s in reference to various types of birds associated with snow, from snow (n.) + bird (n.1). From 1923 in reference to northern U.S. workers who went to the South in the winter months to work; by 1979 in reference to tourists.